atheroma
- noun
- /ˌæθəˈroʊmə/
- Specialized
:
ateroma
- Thus, impaired release of NO may play an important part in the initiation and development of atheroma, as well as predisposing to vasospasm and thrombosis.
Examples
-
An atheroma can significantly restrict blood flow in the arteries.
-
The management of PAD has to take due account of the likelihood of other arterial atheroma.
Academic text (2012) -
Arterial atheroma is usually a progressive condition, so you would expect patients with IC to get worse with time.
Academic text (2012) -
There are multiple factors that cause CHD and multiple presentations of CHD, which all have the build-up of atheroma as a basis.
Academic text (2011) -
An ABPI over 1.3 can occur in patients with diabetes, or in patients with so much atheroma that the arteries have become stiff and are not distorted as the cuff is inflated.
Academic text (2012) -
Doctors often recommend lifestyle changes to prevent the formation of an atheroma.
-
The ultrasound showed that the patient had a sizeable atheroma in their coronary artery.
Synonyms
1
5.5
Fat builds up inside an artery and can block blood flow, causing heart problems
How Large
- Specialized
1
6.0
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
atheroma = ather + oma
Formed from the Greek combining form 'ather-' (fatty deposit) + the medical suffix '-oma'; these are not productive standalone English words, so the meaning is not derivable by an average B1 learner from known English bases.
Etymology
The word atheroma comes from the Greek root athēra, which means 'porridge' or 'gruel'. Think of an atheroma as a soft 'porridge' of fatty material that builds up inside an artery and can block blood flow.