What is a defining structural feature of artery walls?

The defining structural feature of artery walls is that they are thick and elastic. Arteries are designed to carry blood away from the heart under high pressure, and their thick walls are necessary to withstand this pressure. The elasticity of arterial walls allows them to expand when blood is pumped into them and then recoil to help maintain blood pressure and facilitate continuous blood flow throughout the circulatory system.

The thickness of the walls is primarily due to several layers of tissue, including a significant amount of smooth muscle and elastic fibers. This structure not only supports high pressure but also enables the arteries to adapt to fluctuations in blood flow. Such features ensure that arteries can efficiently deliver oxygen-rich blood to various organs and tissues in the body.