Definition

1. Noun:
   • A pathological condition involving the hardening and loss of elasticity of the walls of the arterioles: Arteriolosclerosis is a form of vascular disease characterized by the thickening and stiffening of the small arterial vessels known as arterioles.

Usage

• General Use: The term is used primarily in medical and pathological contexts to describe a specific disease process affecting small arteries.
• Context: It is typically found in clinical diagnoses, medical literature, and discussions of cardiovascular or renal pathology.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The autopsy revealed significant arteriolosclerosis in the kidneys, contributing to renal failure.
  • Chronic hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of arteriolosclerosis.

Advanced Usage

• Pathological Description: The term is often used to specify the type of vascular change, distinguishing it from atherosclerosis which affects larger arteries.
  • The biopsy showed hyaline arteriolosclerosis, a common finding in benign nephrosclerosis.

Variants and Related Words

• Arteriolosclerotic (adj): Pertaining to or affected by arteriolosclerosis.
  • The arteriolosclerotic changes were evident under the microscope.

Synonyms

• Small artery sclerosis: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the size of the affected vessels.
• Arteriolar sclerosis: A near-identical term focusing on the arterioles.

Notes on Meaning

• This term refers specifically to a pathological process. It is not used in general language and is distinct from the more common term "atherosclerosis," which involves plaque buildup in larger arteries.

Noun

1. sclerosis of the arterioles