atheroma
noun
ath·er·o·ma
ˌa-thə-ˈrō-mə 
plural atheromas also atheromata
ˌa-thə-ˈrō-mə-tə
1
: an abnormal fatty deposit in an artery
2
dated
: fatty degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries
Examples of atheroma in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His cause of death was determined as lethal cardiac arrhythmia via severe coronary atheroma and cardiomegaly.
—
Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Charmaine Patterson, Peoplemag, 16 Feb. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Atheroma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atheroma. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
atheroma
noun
ath·er·o·ma
ˌath-ə-ˈrō-mə
plural atheromas also atheromata
-mət-ə
1
: an abnormal fatty deposit in an artery
Patients with large (>5 mm) or mobile aortic atheromas have an increase in the rate of perioperative stroke by a factor of 5 to 10 and are likely to have a significantly increased long-term risk of stroke.—Mary E. Charlson and O. Wayne Isom, The New England Journal of Medicine
Mary E. Charlson and O. Wayne Isom, The New England Journal of Medicine2
dated
: fatty degeneration of the inner coat of the arteries
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share