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Atherosclerosis Quiz
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Which description best characterises a fatty streak in the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque?
- A A fibroatheroma with a fibrous cap and a necrotic lipid core in the intima You picked ✕
- B A lesion of lipid-laden macrophages in the tunica intima You picked ✓
- C A lesion of proliferating smooth muscle cells and lipid that narrows the lumen You picked ✕
- D A lesion with thrombus on its surface that suddenly occludes the artery You picked ✕
- E A lesion with cholesterol crystals extending deep into the tunica media You picked ✕
Correct!
Incorrect
The answer is B: A lesion of lipid-laden macrophages in the tunica intima
Explanation
Why B is correct
See Formation of Plaques. Option B is correct because the fatty streak is the earliest visible stage of atherosclerosis. Injury to the endothelium (the lining of the artery) allows lipid, in the form of LDL cholesterol, to enter the wall of the artery. Macrophages then swallow the lipid and turn into foam cells, so called because the fat makes them look foamy under the microscope. A collection of foam cells, together with some smooth muscle cells and extracellular lipid, forms a flat streak in the tunica intima (the innermost layer of the artery wall). It does not bulge into the lumen, so it does not affect blood flow and causes no symptoms. Memory aid: a fatty streak is a flat, silent stain; the plaque is what comes later.
- Fatty streak: the earliest visible stage of atherosclerosis.
- Cells: foam cells, which are macrophages that have swallowed lipid, with some smooth muscle cells and extracellular lipid.
- Shape and site: a flat lesion in the tunica intima.
- Effect: it does not bulge into the lumen, so it does not affect blood flow and causes no symptoms.
Why the other options are incorrect
- A. A fibroatheroma with a fibrous cap and a necrotic lipid core in the intima: A fibroatheroma is a later plaque stage with a fibrous cap and necrotic core, not the early foam-cell lesion that forms a fatty streak. Your answer
- C. A lesion of proliferating smooth muscle cells and lipid that narrows the lumen: A proliferative smooth-muscle and lipid lesion that narrows the lumen describes an established plaque, not a flat fatty streak that does not affect blood flow. Your answer
- D. A lesion with thrombus on its surface that suddenly occludes the artery: A lesion with surface thrombus and acute occlusion is a complicated plaque, not a fatty streak. Your answer
- E. A lesion with cholesterol crystals extending deep into the tunica media: Cholesterol crystals and extension into the media are features of an established, more advanced plaque. A fatty streak lies in the intima. Your answer
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More questions from this set. Start the quiz to answer them and see each explanation.
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1
Which clinical feature most typically characterises intermittent claudication due to atherosclerosis?
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2
Which pathological event most directly explains how rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque can lead to acute myocardial infarction?
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