[ahr-teer-ee-oh-skluh-roh-sis] 
| degenerative changes in the arteries, characterized by thickening of the vessel walls and accumulation of calcium with consequent loss of elasticity and lessened blood flow. |
[ahr-teer-ee-oh-skluh-rot-ik] , adjective | ar·te·ri·o·scle·ro·sis (är-tîr'ē-ō-sklə-rō'sĭs) n. A chronic disease in which thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls result in impaired blood circulation. It develops with aging, and in hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and other conditions. ar·te'ri·o·scle·rot'ic (-rŏt'ĭk) adj. |
A disease commonly called hardening of the arteries. In arteriosclerosis, the walls of the arteries thicken and harden. The loss of flexibility results in a lessening of the flow of blood to the various organs of the body. (Compare atherosclerosis; see circulatory system.)
arteriosclerosis ar·te·ri·o·scle·ro·sis (är-tēr'ē-ō-sklə-rō'sĭs)
n.
Any of a group of chronic diseases in which thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls result in impaired blood circulation. Also called arterial sclerosis.
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