Final answer:
Atherosclerosis is a medical term that refers to the deposit of plaques containing cholesterol and lipids in the arteries, narrowing the lumen. It can be caused by factors such as a high-fat diet and smoking.
Step-by-step explanation:
Atherosclerosis is a medical term that refers to the form of arteriosclerosis characterized by the deposit of plaques containing cholesterol and lipids that narrow the lumen in the arteries. These plaques consist of white blood cells, cholesterol, and other fats, and over time, they may harden with the addition of calcium crystals, reducing the elasticity of the artery walls. This condition can be caused by factors such as a high-fat diet, smoking, and prolonged elevated levels of low and very low-density lipoproteins in the blood.