Arteriosclerosis vs Atherosclerosis

[Monique]

There is a difference, but it seems a little fuzzy to me. Sclerosis means the hardening of the bloodvessel due to calcium deposits, but what is the difference between arterio and athero?

[rockind78]

Looks to me like they are very close to being the same thing???

http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?query=arteriosclerosis
http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?atherosclerosis

[Monique]

According to:
http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommon zSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_a_62zPzhtm#929482

arteriosclerosis (ar·te·rio·scle·ro·sis) (ahr-t[emacr]r²e-o-skl[schwa]-ro¢sis) [arterio- + sclerosis] any of a group of diseases characterized by thickening and loss of elasticity of arterial walls; there are three distinct forms: atherosclerosis, Mönckeberg's a., and arteriolosclerosis. Called also arterial sclerosis and vascular sclerosis.



atherosclerosis (ath·ero·scle·ro·sis) (ath²[schwa]r-o-skl[schwa]-ro¢sis) [athero- + sclerosis] a common form of arteriosclerosis in which deposits of yellowish plaques (atheromas) containing cholesterol, lipoid material, and lipophages are formed within the intima and inner media of large and medium-sized arteries.

Mönckeberg's arteriosclerosis, medial arteriosclerosis with extensive deposits of calcium in the media of the artery; called also Mönckeberg's calcification, degeneration, mesarteritis, or sclerosis; medial a.; and medial calcific sclerosis.

arteriolosclerosis (ar·te·rio·lo·scle·ro·sis) (ahr-t[emacr]r²e-o²lo-skl[schwa]-ro¢sis) sclerosis and thickening of the walls of the smaller arteries (arterioles). Hyaline arteriolosclerosis, in which there is homogeneous pink hyaline thickening of the arteriolar walls, is associated with benign nephrosclerosis. Hyperplastic arteriolosclerosis, in which there is a concentric thickening with progressive narrowing of the lumina, may be associated with malignant hypertension, nephrosclerosis, and scleroderma.

[Monique]

So it is starting to make a little sense,

athero is caused by lipid deposits.. though I am not sure yet what the prime cause is of Mönckeberg's arteriosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis ..

[rockind78]

That link you posted isn't working???

[Monique]

Let's try again:

http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommon zSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_a_62zPzhtm

Weird.. GOOGLE TO THE RESCUE!! [g)]

http://www.google.nl/search?q=cache:Vg4I4bMrvC0J:www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands.jspzQzpgzEzzSzppdocszSzuszSzcommon zSzdorlandszSzdorlandzSzdmd_a_62zPzhtm+atheroscler osis+arteriosclerosis+dictionary&hl=nl&ie=UTF-8

[feesh]

You're both getting close.

Atherosclerosis is the plaque buildup INSIDE the vein (you're correct).

Arteriosclerosis is the hardening of the vein because of the plaques inside - which have caused scarring on the vein tissue. Therefore, Arteriosclerosis is actually an advanced stage of Atherosclerosis.

Better late than never with the reply, right?

[:)]