What is the role of Smooth Muscle in Aorta?

[biophillic]

What is the Role of Smooth Muscles in the Aorta?

From what i know the smooth muscles are found in the Tunica Media of the Aorta (and also almost all blood vessels except the capillaries). They alternate with the Elastic Fibers.

I know that the role of Elastic fibers is to allow the Aorta (or Arteries) to stretch during high pressure due to the pumping action of the heart and then recoils pushing the blood onwards, but i'm not sure about the Smooth Muscles.

One of its functions that i know is that the Smooth Muscles help control the flow of blood towards a part of the body. For example during exercise, the smooth muscles in the arteries carrying blood to the intestines shall contract, and the smooth muscles in the arteries carrying blood to the muscles shall relax allowing more blood to be delivered to the muscles.

And just why is there Smooth Muscles in the Aorta?What is its role in the aorta? i'd really appreciate for an explanation... thanks

[mith]

Probably the same reason its in the other arteries, blood pressure control.

[Darby]

It's most likely giving a secondary push as it rebounds (that's definitely what happens in aortic arches, so it makes sense in regular arteries).

[redredwine]

hold it together, elasticity, auto regulation.

mostly structural.