Final answer:
An aneurysm is the abnormal dilation of a vessel that involves all layers, potentially leading to serious health issues if it bursts. Vasodilation is typically a normal response to increased blood flow, but in aneurysms, the vessel walls are weakened. Angioplasty and stent insertions are treatments to widen occluded vessels and support their walls.
Step-by-step explanation:
The abnormal dilatation of a vessel that involves all layers is called an aneurysm. This condition occurs when a section of a vessel, such as an artery, becomes weakened and bulges, threatening to burst and potentially cause significant health complications. Vessels can dilate or undergo vasodilation as a normal response to increased blood flow or other signals, but in the case of an aneurysm, the structural integrity of the vessel is compromised. A well-understood example of an abnormal dilation in a specific area is idiopathic juxtafoveal retinal telangiectasia, a condition impacting the retinal blood vessels in the eye, causing them to be dilated and twisted.
To manage situations where blood vessels become obstructed or narrowed, such as in arteriosclerosis where plaques build up in the arteries, contrasting procedures like angioplasty are used. Angioplasty mechanically widens the occluded vessel with an expandable balloon, and afterward, a stent may be inserted to support the vessel walls. These treatments help in restoring adequate blood flow and reducing the risk of complications due to narrowed vessels or potential aneurysms.