What it means
A word with several uses. Dental plaque is a soft film of bacteria on the teeth that causes cavities and gum disease. Arterial plaque is a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other material in the wall of an artery, the basis of atherosclerosisath-er-oh-skluh-ROH-sisA buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.ather/o fatty pastescler/o hard-osis conditionFull entry ; if it breaks open, a clot can form. In skin, a plaque is a raised, flat-topped patch larger than 1 cm, as in psoriasis. In the brain, amyloid plaques are linked to Alzheimer diseaseAHLTS-hy-mer dih-ZEEZA brain disease that slowly destroys memory, thinking and the ability to do everyday tasks.Full entry .
For the nurse
Daily brushing, flossing and oral care for clients who cannot do their own also lowers the risk of pneumonia in clients on ventilators and in older adults.
At a glance
| Spanish | placa |
|---|---|
| Also written | plaques |
Related terms
coronary artery disease
Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, most often from fatty plaque buildup.
lesion
An area of tissue that has been damaged or has changed from normal, such as a sore, wound, lump or spot.
atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.
low-density lipoprotein
A particle that carries cholesterol in the blood; its level is measured in a lipid panel and is often called "bad" cholesterol.