Blood vessel blockages Flashcards
Atheroma
This is the accumulation of fatty deposits (plaque)in the tunica media of large and medium arteries
Effects of Atheroma
The main effect is either partial or complete blockage of the artery by the plaques alone or in combination with a thrombus
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS
This is a progressive, degenerative condition resulting in the thickening and loss of elasticity of the arteries commonly associated with ageing
The most common form is Atherosclerosis Involving lipid deposits
Effects of Arteriosclerosis
The effects on the artery is to make it lose its elasticity, harden and become tortuous (full of twists and turns.)
This reduces both its ability to dilate or constrict and blood flow through it
THROMBOSIS
If the epithelium (Tunica Intima) lying over the plaques begins to break down, platelets are stimulated by the damaged cells and an intra-vascular blood clot (Thrombus) is formed
If a Thrombus partially or completely occludes an artery or vein then the resulting condition is termed Thrombosis
effects of Thrombosis
As a result of reduction or cessation of oxygen and nutrient rich blood flowing to the tissue distal to the blockage, ischaemia or infarction of that tissue will occur.
Predisposing factors include:
Abnormality of blood vessel endothelium
Abnormal blood flow in a vessel
Increased coagulability of the blood
three types of ANEURYSMS
There are three main types of aneurysm
Saccular
Fusiform
Dissecting
SACCULAR aneurysms
This type of aneurysm bulges out on one side of the artery only
Often occurs in the relatively thin-walled arteries of the brain, where they are called ‘Berry’ aneurysms
FUSIFORM aneurysm
This type of aneurysm occurs as a spindle - shape distension
Often found in the abdominal aorta and less commonly in the Iliac arteries
DISSECTING aneurysm
This type of aneurysm develops when blood infiltrates between the tunica intima and tunica media layers of the blood vessel
Occurs mainly in the arch of the aorta
