arterial plaque
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A deposit, primarily composed of fatty substances, cholesterol, and cellular waste, that builds up on the inner walls of arteries. This accumulation is a hallmark characteristic of the disease atherosclerosis.
Usage
This term is used in medical and health contexts to describe a specific pathological finding within blood vessels. It refers to the physical material that narrows and hardens arteries.
Examples
- The autopsy revealed significant arterial plaque in the coronary arteries.
- A diet high in saturated fat can contribute to the formation of arterial plaque.
- The doctor explained that the chest pain was likely due to reduced blood flow caused by arterial plaque.
Advanced Usage
- Plaque burden: This phrase refers to the total amount of arterial plaque present in a person's vascular system, often assessed for cardiac risk.
- Plaque rupture: A critical event where a deposit of arterial plaque breaks open, which can trigger a blood clot and cause a heart attack or stroke.
- Vulnerable plaque: A type of arterial plaque with a thin, fibrous cap that is considered unstable and prone to rupture.
Variants and Related Words
- Atheroma: A more technical, synonymous term for a mass of arterial plaque.
- Atherosclerotic plaque: A full, descriptive synonym for arterial plaque.
- Plaque (in this context): Often used alone in medical discourse to mean arterial plaque (e.g., "plaque buildup").
Synonyms
- Atheroma
- Atherosclerotic plaque
- Fatty streak (an early, flat type of plaque)
- Lesion (in the specific context of atherosclerosis)
Related Phrases
- Plaque buildup/accumulation: The process of arterial plaque forming over time.
- Plaque deposition: The action of plaque adhering to the arterial wall.
Noun
- a fatty deposit inside an arterial wall; characteristic of atherosclerosis