Which disease is characterized by progressive buildup of fatty plaque in the arterial walls?

Which disease is characterized by progressive buildup of fatty plaque in the arterial walls?

• A. Aneurysm
• B. Embolism
• C. Atherosclerosis
• D. Stenosis

Answer: (C)

Atherosclerosis is the process described: a progressive buildup of fatty plaque within the inner lining of arteries. It starts with endothelial dysfunction and the entry and oxidation of lipids (like LDL) in the intima, attracting inflammatory cells and forming foam cells and fatty streaks. Over time these plaques grow, involve smooth muscle cell migration and extracellular matrix, and can calcify, causing the vessel to stiffen and luminal narrowing. Plaques may remain stable or rupture, potentially triggering thrombosis that leads to acute ischemia in the heart, brain, or limbs. This differs from an aneurysm (a dilation of the vessel wall), an embolism (a traveling clot or debris that occludes downstream vessels), or simple stenosis (narrowing that can result from various processes but is not defined by the fatty plaque buildup itself).

Atherosclerosis is the process described: a progressive buildup of fatty plaque within the inner lining of arteries. It starts with endothelial dysfunction and the entry and oxidation of lipids (like LDL) in the intima, attracting inflammatory cells and forming foam cells and fatty streaks. Over time these plaques grow, involve smooth muscle cell migration and extracellular matrix, and can calcify, causing the vessel to stiffen and luminal narrowing. Plaques may remain stable or rupture, potentially triggering thrombosis that leads to acute ischemia in the heart, brain, or limbs. This differs from an aneurysm (a dilation of the vessel wall), an embolism (a traveling clot or debris that occludes downstream vessels), or simple stenosis (narrowing that can result from various processes but is not defined by the fatty plaque buildup itself).