What do we call a deposit of hardened material lining a blood vessel?

The term that describes a deposit of hardened material lining a blood vessel is plaque. Plaque is primarily composed of lipids, calcium, and cellular debris. It forms on the inner walls of arteries, a process often associated with atherosclerosis, which can lead to narrowing of the arteries and restrict blood flow. This buildup of plaque can cause complications such as cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, as it affects circulation and can eventually rupture, leading to the formation of a thrombus (blood clot).

While the other terms relate to blood and vascular conditions, they have distinct meanings that set them apart from plaque. For instance, a thrombus refers to a blood clot that forms within a blood vessel during the process of coagulation, while an embolus is a blood clot or other debris that travels through the bloodstream and can lodge in vessels, disrupting blood flow. An atheroma specifically refers to the fatty deposit or lesion found within an artery that is indicative of atherosclerosis, which is a component of plaque, but the broader term for the entire buildup is plaque itself.