Which term is described as plaque buildup inside arterial walls?

• A. Atherosclerosis
• B. Coronary Arteries
• C. Nitroglycerin
• D. Aspirin

Answer: (A)

Atherosclerosis describes the buildup of plaques inside arterial walls. These plaques are made of lipids (especially cholesterol), inflammatory cells, calcium, and extracellular matrix that accumulate in the tunica intima, causing the lumen to narrow and the arteries to stiffen. This process starts with endothelial dysfunction from risk factors like high LDL, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes. As plaque develops, it can impede blood flow and, if a plaque ruptures, trigger a clot that may lead to heart attack or stroke. The other terms refer to a specific blood vessel (coronary arteries) or to drugs used in treatment (nitroglycerin, aspirin), not the condition itself.