Reference no: EM133878196

Question

Description Step Once the monocytes enter the vessel wall, they enlarge and become macrophages. The macrophages engulf oxidized LDL until they become fat-packed cells called foam cells. When foam cells collect in the vessel wall, they begin to form a fatty streak. As the fatty streak grows, smooth muscle cells migrate from deeper inside the vessel wall to the interior surface of the vessel wall. These smooth muscle cells enlarge and contribute to the expanding plaque. As part of the body's effort to heal the initial blood vessel damage, LDL accumulates in the vessel wall. The cholesterol in the LDL becomes oxidized. Oxidized LDL in the vessel wall attracts white blood cells called monocytes, which enter the cell wall and increase the inflammatory response. An injury to the interior blood vessel wall triggers an inflammatory response. 1 The bulging, mature plaque made of inflamed tissue and fatty deposits can grow so large that it obstructs the flow of blood. Sometimes the plaque is hardened by calcium deposits, further limiting the flexibility and blood flow of the blood vessel.