atheroma

noun

ath·​er·​o·​ma ˌa-thə-ˈrō-mə 

plural atheromas also atheromata ˌa-thə-ˈrō-mə-tə 

1

: an abnormal fatty deposit in an artery

2

dated : fatty degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries

atheromatous

ˌa-thə-ˈrō-mə-təs 

adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

His cause of death was determined as lethal cardiac arrhythmia via severe coronary atheroma and cardiomegaly. —Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin atheromat-, atheroma, from Latin, a tumor containing matter resembling gruel, from Greek athērōma, from athēra gruel

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Medical Definition

atheroma

noun

ath·​er·​o·​ma ˌath-ə-ˈrō-mə 

plural atheromas also atheromata -mət-ə 

1

: an abnormal fatty deposit in an artery

Patients with large (>5 mm) or mobile aortic atheromas have an increase in the rate of perioperative stroke by a factor of 5 to 10 and are likely to have a significantly increased long-term risk of stroke.

—Mary E. Charlson and O. Wayne Isom, The New England Journal of Medicine

2

dated : fatty degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries

atheromatous

-ˈrō-mət-əs 

adjective