Abstract

FONTANA, Horacio et al. La circulación cerebral en condiciones normales y patológicas: Parte II. Las arterias de la base. Rev. argent. neurocir. [online]. 2007, vol.21, n.2. ISSN 1850-1532.

The geometry of the wall (radio- thickness ratio) determins the distensibility of the vessel. The tension developed at the wall by transmural pressure is bigger at the internal layers, coicident with a greater development of the internal elastic lamina, that is the only existent in the cerebral arteries. The consistency of the wall of cerebral arteries is greater than in other vessels with the same diameter. It is compensated by its thinness that makes it more distensible. This compensation is at the expense of a weakening of the wall with propension to excessive dilatation or aneurysm formation. The disposition of smooth muscle fibers of the media could be responsible for some properties of the vessels as the capacity of retraction. The cause of the different structure of the wall of cerebral vessels are not well explained, but ambient buffering (skull and its contents) and embryological factors are in consideration.

Keywords : Arterial wall; Structure; Tension.

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