UNIT 2 - KA7 Flashcards
What is atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fatty material (consisting mainly of cholesterol), fibrous material and calcium forming an atheroma or plaque beneath the endothelium in the wall of an artery
Which materials accumulate during atherosclerosis
The accumulation of fatty material(consisting mainly of cholesterol),fibrous material and calcium
What does atherosclerosis form
Forms an atheroma or plaque beneath the endothelium in the wall of an artery
Explain how a growing atheroma affects the artery wall thickness
- as the atheroma grows the artery thickens and loses its elasticity
Explain how a growing atheroma leads to an increase in blood pressure within the artery
- the diameter of the artery becomes reduced and blood flow becomes restricted resulting in increased blood pressure
What is atherosclerosis the root cause of
Atherosclerosis is the root cause of various cardiovascular diseases including angina, heart attack, stroke and peripheral disease
First stage of thrombosis
Atheromas may rupture, damaging the endothelium
Second stage of thrombosis
The damage releases clotting factors which activate a cascade of reactions, resulting in the conversion of the enzyme prothrombin to its active form thrombin
What is the soluble plasma protein
Fibrinogen
Third stage of thrombosis
Thrombin then causes molecules of the soluble plasma protein fibrinogen to form threads of insoluble fibrin.
Fourth stage of thrombosis
The fibrin threads form a mesh work that clots the blood, seals the wound and provides a scaffold for the formation of scar tissue
What is the formation of a clot referred to as
The formation of a clot (thrombus) is referred to as thrombosis
What is the effect of the atheroma on the inside lining of an artery
Artheromas on the inside lining of an artery make the surface uneven and disturb the smooth flow of blood
What happens as an atheroma becomes enlarged
As an atheroma gradually becomes enlarged it may eventually burst through the endothelium and damage it
Under which circumstances does thrombosis occur
When atheroma bursts through the endothelium and damages it thrombosis may occur
What is thrombosis
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot(thrombus) in a vessel