atherosclerosis

noun

ath·​ero·​scle·​ro·​sis ˌa-thə-ˌrō-sklə-ˈrō-səs 

: an arteriosclerosis characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries

atherosclerotic

ˌa-thə-ˌrō-sklə-ˈrä-tik 

adjective

Examples of atherosclerosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Carotid arteries, which lie on each side of the neck and carry blood to the brain, can become clogged with fatty cholesterol plaques in a similar fashion as the arteries leading into the heart, a process known as atherosclerosis. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024

Indeed, too much cholesterol in the bloodstream can make its way into the walls of your arteries, the process known as atherosclerosis (clogging of the arteries). —Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 29 Feb. 2024

Following the human results of the trial, the team observed in mice that THC caused atherosclerosis. —Ali Finney, SELF, 26 Feb. 2024

Coronary artery atherosclerosis was listed as a contributing factor in the actor's death. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2024

Coronary artery atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque can build up in the arteries, has also been listed as a contributing factor to his death. —Liza Esquibias, Peoplemag, 27 Jan. 2024

One study showed that people with higher blood levels of certain disease-causing bacteria in their mouths were more likely to have atherosclerosis in the carotid artery in the neck, which is when plaque builds up inside that artery and prevents blood from flowing to the brain. —Rebecca Savransky, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

The autopsy also stated that Saget had cardiomegaly (an enlarged heart), coronary artery atherosclerosis (damage or disease in the heart's major blood vessels) and aortic atherosclerosis (plaque build-up inside the wall of the aorta). —Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 9 Jan. 2024

In time, those boys will learn to give Mom a pass for her possibly perimenopausal outbursts and understand that Dad, with his atherosclerosis, occasionally forgets things. —Nikhil Krishnan, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

atherosclerosis

noun

ath·​ero·​scle·​ro·​sis ˌath-ə-rō-sklə-ˈrō-səs 

: hardening and thickening of the walls of arteries due to deposit of fatty substances in the inner layer

Medical Definition

atherosclerosis

noun

ath·​ero·​scle·​ro·​sis ˌath-ə-rō-sklə-ˈrō-səs 

plural atheroscleroses -ˌsēz 

: an arteriosclerosis characterized by atheromatous deposits in and fibrosis of the inner layer of the arteries

atherosclerotic

-sklə-ˈrät-ik 

adjective

atherosclerotically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb