The framed area of the media is shown on the right to illustrate the disposition of the smooth muscle cells between the fenestrated elastic lamellae. These muscle cells are short and their pointed extremities attach to the surfaces of two adjacent elastic lamellae. These smooth muscle cells are arranged in groups which have different orientations as indicated by their longitudinal, oblique and cross-sectional profiles.

The presence of numerous elastic lamellae and of smooth muscle cells attached to these lamellae contribute to the solidity and resilience of the wall of these arteries submitted to the strong rhythmic pulsations of the heart.