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Developmental process of atherosclerosis

Arterial atherosclerosis may develop when deposits of cholesterol accumulate at a tear in the inner lining of an artery. As the deposits harden and occlude the arterial lumen, blood flow to distant tissues decreases, and a clot may form, completely blocking the artery.

Reviewed last on: 5/2/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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