Final answer:
The term that defines “abnormal widening of the arterial wall that is weak and bulges” is an aneurysm. It is a result of the weakening of the artery wall and is distinct from other conditions like embolism, phlebitis, and arteriosclerosis, the latter being a more general hardening of the arteries with atherosclerosis as a more specific form of plaque buildup.
Step-by-step explanation:
“Abnormal widening of the arterial wall that is weak and bulges” defines the term aneurysm. An aneurysm occurs when a part of an artery wall weakens, allowing it to widen abnormally or balloon out. This differs from other vascular conditions such as embolism, phlebitis, and arteriosclerosis. An embolism is a blockage of a blood vessel by a clot or foreign material which has been brought to the site by the blood current. Phlebitis is the inflammation of a vein, while arteriosclerosis is the thickening, hardening and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries. More specifically, atherosclerosis is a condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries, which can lead to a reduction in blood flow and potentially lead to an aneurysm if a segment of the artery becomes particularly weakened.