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*''Arterioles'' regulate resistance to the flow of blood and therefore regulate peripheral blood pressure.  The muscle layer is smaller than that of the larger muscular arteries.  Opening or closing of the arterioles directs flow to specific capillary beds.
 
*''Arterioles'' regulate resistance to the flow of blood and therefore regulate peripheral blood pressure.  The muscle layer is smaller than that of the larger muscular arteries.  Opening or closing of the arterioles directs flow to specific capillary beds.
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==Hypertrophy==
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==[[Arterial Hypertrophy]]==
[[Image:Medial hypertrophy 2.jpg|right|thumb|125px|<small><center>'''Medial hypertrophy'''. Courtesy of A. Jefferies</center></small>]]
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Occurs as a response to increased arterial blood pressure and increased load on the vessels.  The elastic layers of the intima and the media increase in size. 
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Typically seen in the pulmonary vessels of cats with [[Metastrongyloidae|Aelurostrongylus abstrusus]] infection.  The pneumonia regresses and leaves behind the hypertrophied pulmonary arteries which are clinically insignificant.
      
==Degeneration==
 
==Degeneration==
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