Final answer:
The stem 'arterio' in arteriosclerosis refers to arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. Arteriosclerosis is the generalized hardening of the arteries, while atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis characterized by fatty plaque buildup in the arterial walls.
Step-by-step explanation:
The stem 'arterio' in the word arteriosclerosis refers to arteries, which are the blood vessels that take blood away from the heart. Arteriosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries, a condition characterized by the loss of elasticity in the arterial walls. It begins with damage to the endothelium of an artery due to factors like high blood glucose, infection, tobacco use, and excessive blood lipids.
Arteriosclerosis is a more generalized condition compared to atherosclerosis, which is a specific type of arteriosclerosis involving the buildup of fatty plaques within the walls of arteries, particularly affecting the coronary arteries in the heart. This buildup of plaque, which includes fatty substances and connective tissue, hardens and narrows the arteries, affecting the blood flow and leading to an increased risk of heart attack or stroke.