Which arterial wall layer is torn in an intimal tear?

Which arterial wall layer is torn in an intimal tear?

• A. Adventitia
• B. Intima
• C. Media
• D. Endothelium

Answer: (B)

The inner lining of the artery, the tunica intima, is the layer involved. An intimal tear refers to disruption of this innermost layer, which consists of endothelial cells and a subendothelial matrix. When the intima is torn, blood can breach into the wall and potentially separate the layers, such as dissecting into the media. The endothelium is the cellular component of the intima, so describing an intimal tear points to the whole inner lining being breached, not just a shallow endothelial injury. Tearing the media would be a different event, and tearing the adventitia would involve the outermost layer. So the layer that is torn in an intimal tear is the intima.

The inner lining of the artery, the tunica intima, is the layer involved. An intimal tear refers to disruption of this innermost layer, which consists of endothelial cells and a subendothelial matrix. When the intima is torn, blood can breach into the wall and potentially separate the layers, such as dissecting into the media. The endothelium is the cellular component of the intima, so describing an intimal tear points to the whole inner lining being breached, not just a shallow endothelial injury. Tearing the media would be a different event, and tearing the adventitia would involve the outermost layer. So the layer that is torn in an intimal tear is the intima.