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Medical Dictionary

atherosclerosis

Pronunciation (ath′er-ō-skler-ō′sis)
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  1. Arteriosclerosis characterized by irregularly distributed lipid deposits in the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, causing narrowing of arterial lumens and proceeding eventually to fibrosis and calcification. Lesions are usually focal and progress slowly and intermittently. Limitation of blood flow accounts for most clinical manifestations, which vary with the distribution and severity of lesions. In lower animals, atherosclerosis of swine and fowl closely resemble human atherosclerosis.

Syn: nodular sclerosis

[G. athērē, gruel, + sclerosis]

WebMD Medical Reference from "Stedman's Medical Dictionary"

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