arterial plaque
1
5.5
- noun
- /ɑrˈtɪəriəl plæk/
- Specialized
:
placa arterial
- Regular exercise is important for maintaining heart health and reducing arterial plaque.
- arterial plaque buildup
- arterial plaques and high cholesterol
- reduce arterial plaque
Examples
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High levels of bad cholesterol can lead to a build-up of arterial plaque in the blood vessels.
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But what many may be surprised to learn is that cholesterol has a major accomplice in causing dangerous arterial plaque buildup that can trigger a heart attack.
Blog text (14) -
Consuming fruits and vegetables can help prevent the formation of arterial plaque.
Synonyms
33
7.4
A small spot that forms in the body, for example on teeth or inside arteries
A fatty deposit inside a blood vessel that reduces blood flow
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a fatty deposit inside an artery' is directly and compositionally derived from 'arterial' (relating to arteries) + 'plaque' (a deposit or patch). This is a transparent, technical noun–noun combination following normal English compounding and is likely understandable to a learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
The term arterial plaque comes from the word plaque, once used for a flat plate and later for the sticky layer that forms on teeth, while arterial simply means 'of the artery'. So arterial plaque is a 'sticky patch' that builds up on the inside of an artery and can narrow or block blood flow.