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. Nontechnical name: hardening of the arteries. a pathological condition of the circulatory system characterized by thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls

arteriosclerosis

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.)

Other Word Forms

• arteriosclerotic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of arteriosclerosis¹

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

Example Sentences

According to his death certificate, my Great-Grandfather Reak's cause of death was "arteriosclerotic heart disease due to generalized and coronary arteriosclerosis."

Read more on Salon

The Mayo Clinic classifies arteriosclerosis as a condition that occurs when arteries become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to the organs and tissues.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The problems also betrayed an underlying arteriosclerosis - hardening of the arteries.

Read more on Washington Times

The problems also betrayed an underlying arteriosclerosis – hardening of the arteries.

Read more on Seattle Times

Effects included lung inflammation and toxicity, arteriosclerosis, and ageing effects on chromosomes in the lungs and spleen.

Read more on The Guardian