What term describes the mounds of fat mixed with minerals that build up along artery walls?

The correct term that describes the mounds of fat mixed with minerals that accumulate along artery walls is "plaques." Plaques are formed primarily from low-density lipoproteins (LDL), cholesterol, cellular waste products, and other substances. Over time, these plaques can harden and narrow the arteries, leading to a condition known as atherosclerosis. This condition significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke, by obstructing blood flow and potentially causing the rupture of plaques.

The other terms listed do not appropriately describe this specific phenomenon. Fibroids are typically non-cancerous growths found in the uterus. Cysts refer to closed sac-like structures that can form in various tissues in the body, usually filled with fluid, gas, or semi-solid material. Nodes usually refer to small masses of tissue that can indicate inflammation or infection, such as lymph nodes, rather than the pathological buildup of fat and minerals in the arteries.