Anatomy and Physiology CFE Practice Exam

Plaque buildup inside arteries narrows the vessel and impairs blood flow, reducing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues downstream. Atherosclerosis is driven by cholesterol-containing plaques that deposit on the inner arterial wall, leading to a tighter lumen and disturbed hemodynamics. Over time, plaques can calcify or rupture, triggering clots that can cause heart attacks or strokes.

The other descriptions don’t define the disease itself. Unhealthy fats are a risk factor and dietary component, not the condition’s defining change. Saying it “leads to heart disease” describes a consequence rather than what the disease is. Calling it “an inflamed artery” captures inflammation that may accompany the process but misses the central feature of plaque accumulation that narrows the artery.