atheroma

(noun)

An abnormal fatty deposit that develops within the walls of arteries.

Related Terms

Examples of atheroma in the following topics:

  • Anastomoses

    • If one coronary artery is obstructed by an atheroma, a degradation of the arterial walls, the second artery is still able to supply oxygenated blood to the myocardium.
    • However, this can only occur if the atheroma progresses slowly, giving the anastomosis time to form.

  • Arterial Blood Pressure

    • Higher pressures increase heart workload and progression of unhealthy tissue growth (atheroma) that develops within the walls of arteries.
    • The higher the pressure, the more stress that is present, the more the atheroma tends to progress, and the more heart muscle may thicken, enlarge, and weaken over time.