The term given to an area of atherosclerosis. The plaques are symptomless until they are large enough to reduce blood flow or until the surface of a plaque is disturbed, causing thrombosis. Plaques in coronary arteries cause coronary artery disease.
(1) A coating of the TEETH which forms as a result of poor mouth and dental hygiene. It consists of food debris and bacteria; later, calcium salts will be deposited in it to form calculus. It is therefore associated with both caries and periodontal disease (see TEETH, DISORDERS OF – Caries of the teeth).
(2) Raised patch on the skin resulting from the merging or enlargement of papules (see PAPULE; PIMPLES).
n. 1. a layer that forms on the surface of a tooth, principally at its neck, composed of bacteria in an organic matrix (*biofilm). Under certain conditions the plaque may cause *gingivitis, *periodontal disease, or *dental caries. The purpose of oral hygiene is to remove plaque. 2. a raised patch on the skin, formed by *papules enlarging or coalescing to form an area 2 cm or more across. 3. a deposit, consisting of a fatty core covered with a fibrous cap, that develops on the inner wall of an artery in atherosclerosis (see atheroma). 4. any flat and often raised patch, for example on mucous membrane, resulting from local damage.
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