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Coronary Artery Disease
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The
wall of an artery contains 3 layers: the tunica intima,
the tunica media, and the tunica externa.
The intima is the thinnest layer, only one cell thick, it surrounds
the lumen of the blood vessel through which blood flows. The
media is usually the thickest containing layers of smooth muscle
cells and elastic fibers. The externa is made up of mostly elastic
and collagen fibers.
Atherosclerosis occurs when the intima becomes damaged, possibly
by infection or inflammation. Cholesterol and other fatty material
collects in the artery wall. Muscle cells and fibrous tissue
move in and calcium and cell debris accumulate. This creates
a thickening called an atheroma or atherosclerotic plaque.
In the United States atherosclerosis surpasses cancer as the
leading cause of death and illness.
When arteries to the heart (coronary arteries) and brain become
narrowed by plaque, a blood clot may become
lodged, cutting off blood flow and causing a heart
attack or stroke. |
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