What is a blood clot that forms at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque called?

A blood clot that forms at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque is referred to as a thrombus. This occurs when the formation of a clot is triggered by the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, leading to the accumulation of blood cells and fibrin at the site of injury within the blood vessel. This clot can partially or completely occlude the blood vessel, potentially resulting in reduced blood flow to tissues and subsequent complications such as ischemia.

In contrast, an embolus is a clot or other debris that travels through the bloodstream and can obstruct a distant blood vessel. An aneurysm is a localized dilation of a blood vessel that can result from weakening of the vessel wall, rather than being formed from a clot. Ischemia is a condition resulting from insufficient blood flow to an organ or part of the body, typically caused by occlusion of blood vessels, but it does not refer specifically to the clot itself. Understanding the distinction between these terms is critical for recognizing the processes involved in cardiovascular pathology.