<Tr> <Th> TH </Th> <Td> H3. 09.02. 0.01010 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Anatomical terminology (edit on Wikidata) </Td> </Tr> <P> An elastic artery (conducting artery or conduit artery) is an artery with a large number of collagen and elastin filaments in the tunica media, which gives it the ability to stretch in response to each pulse . This elasticity also gives rise to the Windkessel effect, which helps to maintain a relatively constant pressure in the arteries despite the pulsating nature of the blood flow . Elastic arteries include the largest arteries in the body, those closest to the heart . They give rise to medium - sized vessels known as distributing arteries (or muscular arteries). </P> <P> The pulmonary arteries, the aorta, and its branches together comprise the body's system of elastic arteries . </P>

What specific type of artery is found closest to the heart