Explain how atherosclerotic plaque is formed.
Atherosclerosis is a disease of the large and intermediate sized arteries, where fatty lesions called atheromatous plaques develop on the inside surfaces of arterial walls. It is characterised by endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation and an accumulation of lipids, calcium, cholesterol, and cellular debris within the intima wall - making it a multifactorial disease that usually develops many years before manifestation of clinical symptoms.
Stages of plaque formation
1.Fatty streak development
Earliest visible lesions appear as yellow discolouration on the artery’s inner surface but at this stage blood flow is not affected
• Endothelial dysfunction – triggered by injury to the arterial
Atherosclerosis is a disease of the large and intermediate sized arteries, where fatty lesions called atheromatous plaques develop on the inside surfaces of arterial walls. It is characterised by endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation and an accumulation of lipids, calcium, cholesterol, and cellular debris within the intima wall - making it a multifactorial disease that usually develops many years before manifestation of clinical symptoms.
Stages of plaque formation
1.Fatty streak development
Earliest visible lesions appear as yellow discolouration on the artery’s inner surface but at this stage blood flow is not affected
• Endothelial dysfunction – triggered by injury to the arterial