Pathology - Atherosclerosis And Definitions

Question 1

What is atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

Plaques forming in intima + media of high pressure vessels (arteries)

Question 2

What is a plaque?

Answer 2

Lipid, smooth muscle, macrophages (+foam cells), platelets, fibroblasts

Question 3

How is atherosclerosis formed?

Answer 3

Initially starts as fatty streak, lipid accumulates, response by macrophages

Alongside injury to endothelium wall (trauma)
Express adhesion molecules

Platelet aggregation, disrupts laminar flow, media thins

Immune response to tissue injury - macrophage hydrolyse LDLs + foam cells apoptose
Repair - fibrin mesh (2^ platelet plug forms, traps RBC)

Fibrous cap - smooth muscle forms over platelet plug, stable atheroma

Question 4

What are some risk factors for atherosclerosis?

Answer 4

Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, increased age, male
(RF for MI)

Question 5

Hypertrophy

Answer 5

Increased size of organ due to increased some of constituent cells
(eg, skeletal muscle in athletes, bodybuilders) - organs where cells can’t divide

Question 6

Hyperplasia

Answer 6

Increased size of organ due to increased no of constituent cells
(Eg, benign prostatic hyperplasia)
Organ where cells can divide

Question 7

Atrophy

Answer 7

Decreased size of organ due to decreased Number AND size of cells
(Eg, Alzheimer’s dementia, quad muscle in knee injury)

Question 8

Metaplasia

Answer 8

Change of one cell type to another (Barrett’s oesophagus)

Question 9

Dysplasia

Answer 9

Change from a differentiated cell type to a poorly differentiated type , mostly indicated pre/cancerous change (to neoplasia)

Question 10

Ischemia

Answer 10

Decreased perfusion to tissue without infarction
Eg, TIA, angina

Question 11

Infarction

Answer 11

Decreased perfusion to tissue with infarction
Eg, ischemic stroke, MI