In pathology, an atheroma (from ἀθήρωμα =“tumor full gruel-like matter”) is an accumulation and swelling in artery walls that is made up of (mostly) macrophage cells, or debris, that contain lipids (cholesterol and fatty acids), calcium and a variable amount of fibrous connective tissue. Atheroma occurs in atherosclerosis, which is one of the three subtypes of arteriosclerosis; atherosclerosis, Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis. In the context of heart or artery matters, atheromata are commonly referred to as atheromatous plaques...