Arteriosclerosis - Definition
Often, the terms arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are used interchangeably. In reality, these are two different and not perfectly superimposable conditions:
the term arteriosclerosis identifies all forms of hardening, thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial wall, such as atherosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis and calcific sclerosis of Mönckeberg: it is therefore a general term.
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is characterized by the formation of atheromas (plaques of lipid, protein and fibrous material) in large and medium caliber muscular arteries (coronary, carotid and femoral) and in elastic ones such as the "aorta or" pulmonary artery. , therefore, it is a specific type of arteriosclerosis and - of all - it is the most frequent and clinically important form (first cause of death in the Western world); hence the widespread use of the two terms as synonyms.
Metabolic syndrome is the major predisposing factor for atherosclerosis; further information is provided in this article.
Arteriolosclerosis
Arteriolosclerosis affects small-caliber arteries, in particular those of the kidney, spleen, liver and pancreas. Unlike atherosclerosis, it does not involve the formation of lipid deposits, but rather of abnormal proliferation of some cells of the intimate layer (endothelium in direct contact with the blood) and the medium one (formed by smooth muscle); the consequent thickening of the wall causes narrowing of the arteriolar lumen. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are important predisposing factors.
Calcific sclerosis of Mönckeberg
Mönckeberg's calcific sclerosis is a particular type of arteriosclerosis, characterized by focal calcifications of the media - generally affecting the muscular arteries of medium and small caliber - up to the formation of bone tissue.
