HealthAugust 15, 2026
endarterectomy
en-dar-tuh-REK-tuh-mee
Definition
A surgical procedure to remove plaque or fatty deposits from the lining of an artery.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek words 'endon' (within), 'arteria' (artery), and 'ektome' (excision). It entered medical terminology to specifically describe the surgical removal of the inner lining of an artery.
In the news
In the article, researchers used samples from patients undergoing a carotid endarterectomy to identify microplastics trapped within arterial plaques. This provided physical evidence linking the presence of plastics in the cardiovascular system to higher health risks.
Microplastics in local water supplies linked to higher risks of heart attack and stroke
Read the full article ↗Futura, le média qui explore le monde