5. Cardiovascular Disease - Atheroma Formation

Question 1

How many layers is the artery made up of?

Answer 1

3.

Question 2

What is the inner lining called?

Answer 2

The endothelium - usually smooth and unbroken.

Question 3

What happens if the endothelium is damaged?

Answer 3

White blood cells (Mostly macrophages) and lipids (fats) from the blood clump together under the lining to form fatty streaks.
Over time, more white blood cells, lipids and connective tissue build up and harden forming fibrous plaque called atheroma.

Question 4

What does the atheroma do?

Answer 4

Its plaque that partially blocks the lumen of the artery and restricts blood flow, causing blood pressure to increase.

Question 5

Define atheroma.

Answer 5

Fibrous plaque caused by the build up and hardening of white blood cells, lipids and connective tissue.

Question 6

Name characteristics of the artery.

Answer 6

Elastic tissue wall.
Lumen - wide.
Thick muscle layer.

Question 7

When the deposits of fatty material builds up under the endothelium what happens?

Answer 7

It pushes out into lumen.

Causing lumen to shrink as artery wall swells, making it difficult for blood to pass through.