Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting arterial blood vessels (as well as veins that have been surgically moved to function as arteries). Ath?ra is porridge in Greek, as the plaque changes have a foamy appearance under high power light microscopy. Sclerosis denotes hardening; calcification within the oldest, outermost portion of atheroma increase wall stiffness.

Related Topics:
Disease - Arterial - Blood vessel - Vein - Porridge - Microscopy - Atheroma

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Atherosclerosis is commonly referred to as a "hardening" or "furring" of blood vessels, but this is an oversimplification. Vascular lesions known as atheromas (or atheromata or atheromatous plaques) develop in the vessel wall and in late stages may suddenly rupture, see vulnerable plaque, and reduce or totally stop blood flow in the lumen (stenosis), leading to damage of the tissue downstream which has lost needed blood flow.

Related Topics:
Atheroma - Vulnerable plaque - Blood flow - Lumen - Stenosis

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