arteriosclerosis

[ ahr-teer-ee-oh-skluh-roh-sis ]

noun

1. degenerative changes in the arteries, characterized by thickening of the vessel walls and accumulation of calcium with consequent loss of elasticity and lessened blood flow.

arteriosclerosis

/ ɑːˌtɪərɪəʊsklɪəˈrɒtɪk; ɑːˌtɪərɪəʊsklɪəˈrəʊsɪs /

noun

1. a pathological condition of the circulatory system characterized by thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls Nontechnical namehardening of the arteries

arteriosclerosis

/ är-tîr′ē-ō-sklə-rō′sĭs /

1. A thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls that results in impaired blood circulation.
2. See also atherosclerosis

arteriosclerosis

1. A disease commonly called hardening of the arteries . In arteriosclerosis, the walls of the arteries thicken and harden. The loss of flexibility results in a lessening of the flow of blood to the various organs of the body. ( Compare atherosclerosis ; see circulatory system .)

Derived Forms

• arteriosclerotic, adjective

Other Words From

• ar·te·ri·o·scle·rot·ic [ahr-teer-ee-oh-skl, uh, -, rot, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arteriosclerosis¹

1885–90; < New Latin. See arterio-, sclerosis