arteriosclerosis

American  

[ahr-teer-ee-oh-skluh-roh-sis] / ɑrˌtɪər i oʊ skləˈroʊ sɪs /

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.

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arteriosclerosis British  

/ 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

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arteriosclerosis Scientific  

/ 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

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arteriosclerosis Cultural  

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.)

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Other Word Forms

• arteriosclerotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of arteriosclerosis

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

Compare meaning

How does arteriosclerosis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• atherosclerosis vs. arteriosclerosis

Example Sentences

Many common illnesses such as arteriosclerosis and diabetes or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's are associated with inflammatory processes.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2023

The cause was cerebral arteriosclerosis, her son John Fitzpatrick said.

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2023

The other significant condition that contributed to his death was "peripheral arteriosclerosis with gangrene of the feet."

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2023

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.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2022

It must not be thought that because the localization of the arteriosclerosis in the peripheral arteries is usually the most favorable condition that it is therefore devoid of ill effects.

From Arteriosclerosis and Hypertension: with Chapters on Blood Pressure, 3rd Edition. by Warfield, Louis Marshall