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atherosclerosis vs. arteriosclerosis

atherosclerosis vs. arteriosclerosis: What’s the difference?

Arteriosclerosis is a condition involving the thickening and hardening of artery walls resulting in lessened blood flow. Atherosclerosis is a common type of arteriosclerosis in which fatty substances form deposits on artery walls. Sclerosis is a general term for hardening of tissue. Arterio- means “artery”; athero- refers to the fatty deposits found in atherosclerosis and other conditions.

[ ath-uh-roh-skluh-roh-sis, ath- ]
noun
  1. a common form of arteriosclerosis in which fatty substances form a deposit of plaque on the inner lining of arterial walls.
[ 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.

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