Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis

Question 1

What is Atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

It’s a build up of fatty materials in the arteries.

Question 2

Describe the steps is Atherosclerosis.

Answer 2

Step 1:
- Endothelium in the artery walls is damaged.

Step 2:
- inflammatory response:
white blood cells move to the damaged artery wall depositing cholesterol and other chemicals.
- a fatty deposit forms (atheroma)

Step 3:

• calcium salts and fibrous tissue build up
• a hard deposit forms (plaque)

Step 4 :

• increased blood pressure
• positive feedback: increased chance of further damage to artery wall and further plaque formation as well as chance of blood clot formation.

Question 3

What is Thrombosis?

Answer 3

It’s is the blockage of the artery through the formation of a blood clot.