Arteriocapillary fibrosis is spelled with the /ɑrtɛˌriˌoʊkəˈpɪləri faɪˈbroʊsɪs/ IPA phonetic transcription. The word is composed of three parts: "arterio-" refers to arteries, "capillary" refers to the small blood vessels connecting arteries and veins, and "fibrosis" refers to the formation of fibrous tissue. As such, arteriocapillary fibrosis refers to the thickening and hardening of the arteries and capillaries due to the accumulation of fibrous tissue, a condition commonly associated with hypertension and aging.
Arteriocapillary fibrosis is a medical condition characterized by the thickening and hardening of the walls of the arterioles and capillaries. It is a type of fibrosis that affects the small blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow and impaired functioning of various organs.
The condition often occurs as a consequence of chronic hypertension, a long-term condition where the force of blood against the arterial walls is consistently high. Over time, this elevated pressure causes damage to the walls of the arterioles and capillaries, triggering the deposition of fibrous tissue in these blood vessels. This fibrous tissue replaces the normal elastic and muscular components of the vessel walls, resulting in their increased stiffness and reduced ability to dilate or constrict.
Arteriocapillary fibrosis can lead to complications in multiple organ systems, including the heart, kidneys, and brain. In the heart, it can contribute to the development of heart failure or myocardial ischemia, a condition where the heart muscle does not receive enough blood supply. In the kidneys, reduced blood flow can impair their ability to filter waste and maintain fluid balance, potentially leading to kidney dysfunction. In the brain, arteriocapillary fibrosis can contribute to the development of cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke.
Management of arteriocapillary fibrosis typically involves treating the underlying cause, such as hypertension, to slow down or prevent further progression of the condition. Lifestyle modifications, including diet changes, exercise, and medication therapy, may be recommended to control blood pressure and improve overall vascular health.
Arteriosclerosis, affecting especially the walls of the capillaries and terminal arterioles.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "arteriocapillary fibrosis" is a medical term used to describe a condition where there is thickening and hardening of the walls of the arteries and capillaries due to the deposition of fibrous tissue.
Etymologically, "arteriocapillary fibrosis" can be broken down into its constituent parts:
1. Arterio - The prefix "arterio-" refers to arteries, which are the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. It comes from the Latin word "arteria", which means "windpipe" or "artery".
2. Capillary - The term "capillary" refers to the smallest blood vessels in the body, which connect the arteries to the veins. The word comes from the Latin "capillaris", meaning "hair-like", referring to the small diameter of these vessels.