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Question 388
Pathology → General
Classification
Question
SSBAQuestion Header
An atherosclerotic artery develops progressive structural weakening at the site of an intimal fibrofatty plaque. Which complication most directly results from weakening of the arterial wall?
Question Stem
Select the single best answer.
Options
A
Aneurysm formation
B
Generalised lymphadenopathy
C
Granuloma formation
D
Secondary amyloidosis
E
Caseous necrosis
Explanation
Atherosclerosis produces intimal fibrofatty plaques in large and medium-sized muscular arteries. Associated fibrosis, calcification and ulceration may weaken the arterial wall, predisposing to aneurysm formation.
Option Validity
B) Generalised lymphadenopathy is unrelated to structural weakening of an atherosclerotic arterial wall.
C) Granuloma formation is a pattern of chronic inflammation rather than a direct complication of atherosclerotic wall weakening.
D) Secondary amyloidosis is associated with prolonged chronic inflammation, not local weakening of an atherosclerotic artery.
E) Caseous necrosis is classically associated with tuberculosis and does not describe this vascular complication.
Further Reading
Saxena R. Textbook for MRCOG-1. Chapter 5: Pathology. General Pathology, pp.161–175.