Final answer:
The artery is both elastic and strong, with elastic arteries near the heart possessing high elasticity for dealing with the high pressure of blood. Their ability to expand and recoil helps to maintain blood pressure and continuous blood flow. Farther from the heart, arteries have more muscle and less elasticity due to lower pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, the artery is elastic and strong, especially those close to the heart known as elastic arteries. These vessels have thick walls with a high percentage of elastic fibers, enabling them to withstand the high pressure of blood ejected from the heart. Their elasticity allows them to expand as blood is pumped through them and to recoil after, which is vital for maintaining a consistent blood pressure and ensuring continuous blood flow through the arterial system.
Unlike bones and tendons, which require both strength and elasticity, arteries need to be highly stretchable to accommodate the pulsating nature of blood flow resulting from the heart's contractions. As blood is pumped from the heart, arterial walls stretch, and when the heart rests between beats, these walls relax, keeping the blood moving. If arteries were rigid, they would offer high resistance to blood flow, increasing blood pressure and placing more strain on the heart.
In contrast, the muscular arteries farther from the heart have more smooth muscle and less elastic fiber, which is suitable since the blood pressure has eased by that point, making high elasticity less necessary. However, they are still crucial in regulating blood flow through vasoconstriction.