atheroma

[ ath-uh-roh-muh ]

noun

, Pathology.

, plural ath·er·o·mas, ath·er·o·ma·ta [ath-, uh, -, roh, -m, uh, -t, uh].

1. a sebaceous cyst.
2. a mass of yellowish fatty and cellular material that forms in and beneath the inner lining of the arterial walls.

atheroma

/ ˌæθəˈrəʊmə; -ˈrəʊ-; ˌæθəˈrɒmətəs /

noun

1. pathol a fatty deposit on or within the inner lining of an artery, often causing an obstruction to the blood flow

Derived Forms

• atheromatous, adjective

Other Words From

• ath·er·om·a·tous [ath-, uh, -, rom, -, uh, -t, uh, s, -, roh, -m, uh, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of atheroma¹

1700–10; < New Latin, Latin: a tumor filled with gruellike matter < Greek athḗrōma, equivalent to athḗr ( ē ) gruel + -ōma -oma

Word History and Origins

Origin of atheroma¹

C18: via Latin from Greek athērōma tumour full of matter resembling gruel, from athēra gruel

Example Sentences

It has been assigned as one of the causes of early atheroma and of angina pectoris.

From Project Gutenberg

As a rule atheroma in the cerebral vessels is but a part of a general atheroma of all the arteries of the body.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus there appears to be more liability to atheroma in the gross corpulent diabetic even than in the gouty man.

From Project Gutenberg

The average age was 53 years, and the aorta presented some degree of atheroma in half the cases.

From Project Gutenberg

Shows atheroma (fatty degeneration) of the aorta, irregular heart-action, hypertrophy and enlargement of the heart.

From Project Gutenberg