atherosclerosis
/ˌæθəroʊskləˈroʊsɪs/
Definition
A chronic disease characterized by the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the buildup of fatty deposits, or plaque, on their inner walls.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek 'athērē' meaning 'gruel' or 'porridge' (referring to the soft fatty buildup) and 'sklērōsis' meaning 'hardening.' It entered modern medical terminology to describe the physiological process where plaque accumulation leads to arterial rigidity.
In the news
The term appears in the article as part of the title of the 'Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study,' a major research initiative led by Dr. Elizabeth Selvin. It highlights a critical focus area of cardiovascular health research being examined in these collaborative public health studies.
JHU + WVU Rural Health Convos: From Pregnancy to Practice—Infrastructure for Rural Health Research
Read the full article ↗Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health