Which statement best differentiates arteriosclerosis from atherosclerosis?

• A. Arteriosclerosis is the hardening of arterial walls due to aging; atherosclerosis involves plaque deposits that narrow the lumen.
• B. Arteriosclerosis is the plaque buildup that narrows the lumen; atherosclerosis is the hardening of arterial walls due to aging.
• C. Arteriosclerosis is infection of arteries; atherosclerosis is dilation of arteries.
• D. Arteriosclerosis is inflammation of arteries; atherosclerosis is a clotting disorder.

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is the difference between a general hardening of arteries and a specific plaque-related change that narrows the vessel. Arteriosclerosis refers to thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls—arteries become stiffer, a process often linked to aging or calcification. Atherosclerosis is a particular form of arteriosclerosis in which lipid-rich plaques build up in the inner lining of the arteries, causing the lumen to narrow and impair blood flow. Inflammation can be involved in plaque development, and a ruptured plaque can trigger clot formation, but the defining feature of atherosclerosis is the plaque buildup with resulting narrowing, not inflammation or a clotting disorder alone.