atheroma

Definition: In pathology, an atheroma (from ἀθήρωμα (athērōma), “tumor full gruel-like matter”) is an accumulation and swelling in artery walls made up of (mostly) macrophage cells, or debris, and containing lipids (cholesterol and fatty acids), calcium and a variable amount of fibrous connective tissue.

Atheroma causes atherosclerosis, which is one of the three subtypes of arteriosclerosis (which are atherosclerosis, Monckeberg’s arteriosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis).

Classification

 Type I: Isolated macrophage foam cells
 Type II: Multiple foam cell layers
 Type III: Preatheroma, intermediate lesion
 Type IV: Atheroma
 Type V: Fibroatheroma
 Type VI: Fissured, ulcerated, hemorrhagic, thrombotic lesion
 Type VII: Calcific lesion
 Type VIII: Fibrotic lesion