(ar-tēr‵ē-ō-sklĕ-rō'sĭs )

[ arterio- + sclerosis ]

A disease of the arterial vessels marked by thickening and loss of elasticity in the arterial walls. It is known colloquially as “hardening of the arteries.” Three forms of arteriosclerosis are generally recognized: atherosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and Mönckeberg's calcification. Atherosclerosis (the accumulation of fat in blood vessel walls) is the single most important cause of disease and death in Western societies.

arteriosclerotic,

(-rot'ik )