intimalis
Intimalis refers to the innermost layer of a blood vessel wall, known as the tunica intima. This layer is critical for maintaining vascular health and function. It is composed of a single layer of endothelial cells, which form a smooth surface that minimizes friction for blood flow. Beneath the endothelium lies a subendothelial layer, typically made of connective tissue and smooth muscle cells, and then the internal elastic lamina, a fenestrated sheet of elastic tissue.
The endothelium of the intima plays a crucial role in regulating vascular tone through the production of