atheroma

 
Pronunciation: /ˌaθəˈrəʊmə/

noun

[mass noun] Medicine
  • degeneration of the walls of the arteries caused by accumulated fatty deposits and scar tissue, and leading to restriction of the circulation and a risk of thrombosis. See also atherosclerosis.
  • the fatty material which forms deposits in the arteries.

Derivatives

atheromatous

adjective

Origin:

late 16th century: via Latin from Greek athērōma, from athērē, atharē 'groats'