atherosclerosis

n. [ Gr. &unr_; + -logy. ] (Med.) a form of arteriosclerosis characterized by irregular fatty deposits on the inner surface of large and medium-sized arteries; the deposits are associated with fibrosis and calcification of the inner layer of the arteries. Similar conditions may be found in swine and fowl. The deposits may become large enough to impede the blood circulation and in some cases may restrict the blood supply to the heart. Stedman [ PJC ]