Atheroma
Accumulation of degenerative material in the inner layer of artery walls / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Atheroma?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
SHOW ALL QUESTIONS
An atheroma, or atheromatous plaque, is an abnormal accumulation of material in the inner layer of an arterial wall.[1][2]
Quick Facts Other names, Specialty ...
Atheroma | |
---|---|
Other names | atheromata (plural), atheromas (plural), atheromatous plaque, plaque |
Atherosclerotic plaque from a carotid endarterectomy specimen. This shows the division of the common into the internal and external carotid arteries. | |
Specialty | Cardiology |
Complications | Thrombosis, embolism, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis |
Causes | Hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia |
Close
The material consists of mostly macrophage cells,[3][4] or debris, containing lipids, calcium and a variable amount of fibrous connective tissue. The accumulated material forms a swelling in the artery wall, which may intrude into the lumen of the artery, narrowing it and restricting blood flow. Atheroma is the pathological basis for the disease entity atherosclerosis, a subtype of arteriosclerosis.[5]