Vascular smooth muscle

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Vascular smooth muscle refers to the particular type of smooth muscle found within, and composing the majority of the wall of blood vessels.

Arteries have a great deal more smooth muscle within their walls than veins, thus their greater wall thickness. This is because they have to pump blood away from the heart to all the organs and tissues that need the oxgenated blood. The endothelial lining of each is similar. The type of contraction that the vascuar smooth muscle undergoes is TONIC, i.e the diameter of the tubes is regulated by developing tension for contractions to move blood around the body. Template:Muscle-stub