Plaque tissue

Plaque tissue refers to the biologically complex structure forming within the arterial wall during atherosclerosis. These plaques are composed of accumulated lipids, cholesterol crystals, cellular debris, fibrous extracellular matrix, smooth muscle cells, inflammatory cells (such as macrophages and T cells), and sometimes calcification. Progression of plaque tissue underlies many cardiovascular events by causing vessel narrowing, rupture, and thrombosis. Plaque tissue is highly heterogeneous, with subtypes defined by their inflammatory content, degree of calcification, lipid core size, and propensity for rupture or erosion, which determines their clinical risk. It is a pathological finding, not a specific molecule, receptor, or conventional drug target

Other names

atherosclerotic plaquevascular plaquearterial plaqueplaque lesionatheromatous plaque