Atheromas and Blood clots

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The wall of the artery is made up of several layers.

The endothelium is usually smooth and unbroken.

If damage occurs to the endothelium there will be an inflammatory response.

White blood cells create this inflammatory response by moving into the area.

These white blood cells and lipids from the blood, clump together under the endothelium to form fatty streaks.

Over time, more white blood cells, lipids and connective tissue build up and harden to form a fibrous plaque.

This plaque is called an atheroma.

This partially blocks the lumen of the artey and restricts blood flow.

This causes blood pressure to increase.

The hardening of arteries, caused by atheromas, is called atherosclerosis.

The artery is made up of several layers with the endothelium usually smooth and unbroken. When damage occurs to the endothelium an inflammatory response occurs where white blood cells move to the area. These white blood cells and lipids from the blood clump together under the endothelium to form fatty streaks. After a period of time, more white blood cells, lipids and connective tissue build up and harden to form a fibrous plaque. This plaque is called an atheroma which partially blocks the lumen of the artery restricting blood flow causing blood pressure to increase causing atheroscelrosis.

Several layers.

Endothelium smooth and unbroken.

Endothelium damaged - inflammatory response.

White blood cells and lipids clump together under endothelium - fatty streaks.

White blood cells, lipids, connective tissue harden - fibrous plaque.

Plaque called atheroma.

Partially blocks lumen of artery.

Restricts blood flow - increases blood pressure.

Atherosclerosis.

Thromboplastin - released from damaged blood vessel.

Prothrombin - triggers conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.

Thrombin - catalyses conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.

Fibrinogen

Fibrin - fibrin firbes tangle together.

Form a mesh.

Platelets and red blood cells trapped.

Blood clot!

Thromboplastin

Prothrombin

Thrombin

Fibrinogen

Fibrin

Thromboplastin

Prothrombin

Thrombin

Fibrinogen

Fibrin

Thromboplastin

Prothrombin

Thrombin

Fibrinogen

Fibrin

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