Aneurysm

An aneurysm (or aneurism) (from Greek ανευρυσμα, a dilatation) is a localized dilation or ballooning of a blood vessel. Aneurysms most commonly occur in the arteries at the base of the brain (the circle of Willis) and in the aorta (the main artery coming out of the heart) - this is an aortic aneurysm.

Types

Aneurysms are also described according to their shape: Saccular or fusiform.

Related Topics:
Saccular - Fusiform

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Aneurysms can be broken down into two groups: true aneurysms and false aneurysms.

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A true aneurysm involves an outpouching of all three layers of a blood vessel: the intima, the media, and the adventitia.

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True aneurysms can be due to congenital malformations, infections, or hypertension.

Related Topics:
Congenital - Infection - Hypertension

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A false aneurysm, also known as a pseudoaneurysm, involves an outpouching of only the adventitia.

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Pseudoaneurysms can be due to trauma involving the intima of the blood vessel, and are a known complication of percutaneous arterial procedures.

Related Topics:
Trauma - Intima - Blood vessel - Percutaneous

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