Systemic Pathology Midterm Exam
Blue Marble University
Jan Term 2023
Feb 23, 2023
Edith Aguh
, Questions:
(A) Blood Vessels
1. Difference between atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. Why
does prof. Minarcik say that for topics in blood vessel disease
there is atherosclerosis and everything else.
Answer. Atherosclerosis is a disease of blood vessel, where the
innermost layer of the blood vessels called Endothelium is
constricted by the deposition of fat, calcium and cellular debris which
leads to narrowing of the artery which turns to weak circulation of
blood, oxygen and nutrients round the body. Atherosclerosis is the
accumulation and build-up of plaque inside the arterial walls. As the
artery thickens, the circulation of oxygen-rich blood becomes
compromised, leading to cardiovascular diseases such as peripheral
vascular disease, stroke, and heart attack.
Arteriosclerosis in the other hand is a broader term for the condition
in which the arteries narrow and harden leading to poor circulation
of blood in the body. Arteriosclerosis is the hardening or thickening
of the arterial walls due to aging and other risk factors. As the arteries
lose elasticity due to the decline in the production of elastin, the
arteries become narrowed, which in turn constricts blood flow.
The difference is that Atherosclerosis is a specific type of
Arteriosclerosis but it is sometimes used interchangeably.
Atherosclerosis Arteriosclerosis
A condition characterized by the
A condition characterized by the
progressive accumulation and
hardening or thickening of the
buildup of plaque inside the arterial
arterial walls
walls
, Occurs due to plaque build-up
inside the lining of the arteries, the
Occurs due to plaque build-up inside
loss of elasticity of the arterial walls
the lining of the arteries
due to aging, or the calcification of
the arterial walls
Narrower in scope Broader in scope
More common amongst medium or More common amongst arterioles or
large-sized arteries small arteries
Classified into three types: 1)
arteriosclerosis, 2)
A type of arteriosclerosis
arteriolosclerosis, and 3)
Mönckeberg’s arteriosclerosis
Does not involve intimal fibrosis Involves intimal fibrosis
2. Using the straw demonstration, what two things can happen
respecting the straw (i.e. blood vessel)?
Answer: The artery (straw) is starting to get clogged with plaque and
thus the diameter of the artery gets smaller and smaller. This also
means that less blood can flow within the artery, which you should
have observed in your experiment. With the narrower straw, the
water takes much longer to flow out of the cup.
3. What is an aneurysm
Answer. Aneurysm is a balloon like bulge in the aorta, the large
artery that carries blood from the heart through the chest and
tummy. It can be caused by chain smoking, high blood pressure and
high cholesterol. An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in
, the wall of a blood vessel. An aneurysm can burst (rupture), causing
internal bleeding and often leading to death. Aneurysms usually
don't cause symptoms, so one might not know that they have an
aneurysm even if it's large.
Aneurysms can develop in several parts of your body, including:
The aorta — the major blood vessel carrying blood from your heart to
vital organs (aortic aneurysm). The section of aorta that passes
through your abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysm). The section of
aorta that passes through your chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm).
Blood vessels supplying blood to your brain (brain aneurysm). Blood
vessels in other parts of your body, such as your legs, groin or neck
(peripheral aneurysm)
Some small aneurysms have a low risk of rupture. To determine the
risk of rupture, the doctor will ask questions about symptoms and
medical and family history, and check the size, location and
appearance of the aneurysm. They will consider the risk and the risk
of treatment to decide whether to monitor or repair the aneurysm.
If an aneurysm ruptures, it causes internal bleeding. Depending on
the location of the aneurysm, a rupture can be very dangerous or life-
threatening. An aneurysm in the neck can cause a blood clot that
travels to the brain. If the clot cuts off blood flow to the brain, it
causes a stroke. When a brain aneurysm ruptures, it causes a
subarachnoid hemorrhage. Some people call this type of stroke a
brain bleed. Typically, people have what they call the worst headache
of their life and then develop other symptoms like limb weakness,
headache and trouble speaking.
When an aneurysm causes symptoms, the signs depend on its
location. One might notice signs of shock, such as a drop in blood
pressure, feeling clammy and “out of it,” and having a pounding
heart. Other symptoms of an aneurysm can include: Confusion or
dizziness, Difficulty swallowing, Fatigue, Headache, Nausea or
vomiting, Pain in the abdomen, chest or back, pulsating abdominal
mass or swelling in the neck, Rapid heart rate.
Blue Marble University
Jan Term 2023
Feb 23, 2023
Edith Aguh
, Questions:
(A) Blood Vessels
1. Difference between atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. Why
does prof. Minarcik say that for topics in blood vessel disease
there is atherosclerosis and everything else.
Answer. Atherosclerosis is a disease of blood vessel, where the
innermost layer of the blood vessels called Endothelium is
constricted by the deposition of fat, calcium and cellular debris which
leads to narrowing of the artery which turns to weak circulation of
blood, oxygen and nutrients round the body. Atherosclerosis is the
accumulation and build-up of plaque inside the arterial walls. As the
artery thickens, the circulation of oxygen-rich blood becomes
compromised, leading to cardiovascular diseases such as peripheral
vascular disease, stroke, and heart attack.
Arteriosclerosis in the other hand is a broader term for the condition
in which the arteries narrow and harden leading to poor circulation
of blood in the body. Arteriosclerosis is the hardening or thickening
of the arterial walls due to aging and other risk factors. As the arteries
lose elasticity due to the decline in the production of elastin, the
arteries become narrowed, which in turn constricts blood flow.
The difference is that Atherosclerosis is a specific type of
Arteriosclerosis but it is sometimes used interchangeably.
Atherosclerosis Arteriosclerosis
A condition characterized by the
A condition characterized by the
progressive accumulation and
hardening or thickening of the
buildup of plaque inside the arterial
arterial walls
walls
, Occurs due to plaque build-up
inside the lining of the arteries, the
Occurs due to plaque build-up inside
loss of elasticity of the arterial walls
the lining of the arteries
due to aging, or the calcification of
the arterial walls
Narrower in scope Broader in scope
More common amongst medium or More common amongst arterioles or
large-sized arteries small arteries
Classified into three types: 1)
arteriosclerosis, 2)
A type of arteriosclerosis
arteriolosclerosis, and 3)
Mönckeberg’s arteriosclerosis
Does not involve intimal fibrosis Involves intimal fibrosis
2. Using the straw demonstration, what two things can happen
respecting the straw (i.e. blood vessel)?
Answer: The artery (straw) is starting to get clogged with plaque and
thus the diameter of the artery gets smaller and smaller. This also
means that less blood can flow within the artery, which you should
have observed in your experiment. With the narrower straw, the
water takes much longer to flow out of the cup.
3. What is an aneurysm
Answer. Aneurysm is a balloon like bulge in the aorta, the large
artery that carries blood from the heart through the chest and
tummy. It can be caused by chain smoking, high blood pressure and
high cholesterol. An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or ballooning in
, the wall of a blood vessel. An aneurysm can burst (rupture), causing
internal bleeding and often leading to death. Aneurysms usually
don't cause symptoms, so one might not know that they have an
aneurysm even if it's large.
Aneurysms can develop in several parts of your body, including:
The aorta — the major blood vessel carrying blood from your heart to
vital organs (aortic aneurysm). The section of aorta that passes
through your abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysm). The section of
aorta that passes through your chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm).
Blood vessels supplying blood to your brain (brain aneurysm). Blood
vessels in other parts of your body, such as your legs, groin or neck
(peripheral aneurysm)
Some small aneurysms have a low risk of rupture. To determine the
risk of rupture, the doctor will ask questions about symptoms and
medical and family history, and check the size, location and
appearance of the aneurysm. They will consider the risk and the risk
of treatment to decide whether to monitor or repair the aneurysm.
If an aneurysm ruptures, it causes internal bleeding. Depending on
the location of the aneurysm, a rupture can be very dangerous or life-
threatening. An aneurysm in the neck can cause a blood clot that
travels to the brain. If the clot cuts off blood flow to the brain, it
causes a stroke. When a brain aneurysm ruptures, it causes a
subarachnoid hemorrhage. Some people call this type of stroke a
brain bleed. Typically, people have what they call the worst headache
of their life and then develop other symptoms like limb weakness,
headache and trouble speaking.
When an aneurysm causes symptoms, the signs depend on its
location. One might notice signs of shock, such as a drop in blood
pressure, feeling clammy and “out of it,” and having a pounding
heart. Other symptoms of an aneurysm can include: Confusion or
dizziness, Difficulty swallowing, Fatigue, Headache, Nausea or
vomiting, Pain in the abdomen, chest or back, pulsating abdominal
mass or swelling in the neck, Rapid heart rate.
