• To identify the risk factors for atherosclerosis

risk factors include …

Smoking

Unhealthy diet/overweight

lack of antioxidants e.g. green veg (your 5 a day are antioxidants)

hyperlipidemia

hypertension

• To explain the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

it makes gaps in the cells which allows monocytes to attach and migrate into the tunica intima from the lumen.

LDL is oxidised in the tunica intima, the monocytes have now become macrophages (when they enter the tunica intima) they eat the LDL and become imobile (they are known as foam cells at this point) the imoblile foam cells are known as FATTY STREAK (this is visible by the naked eye)

FATTY STREAK continues to grow bigger and bigger as more monocytes enter the tunica intima undergoing the same process.

the foam cells make the smooth muscle cells come into the tunica intima

smooth muscle cells then poliferate and produce a fibrous cap.

• To identify and explain the morphology of atheroma

below include where atherosclerosis can occur

• abdominal aorta