Which of the following is the earliest visible lesion of atherosclerosis, and where is it first detected?

• A Fibrous cap atheroma in the coronary arteries
• B Complicated plaque with calcification in the femoral arteries
• C Intimal thickening at branch points of the carotid arteries
• D Fatty streak in the aorta ✓

Explanation

The fatty streak is the earliest grossly visible lesion of atherosclerosis and first appears in the aorta, often within the first decade of life. It consists of intimal foam cells derived from macrophages and smooth muscle cells laden with lipid. Fibrous plaques appear later, typically from the second or third decade onward. Intimal thickening is a normal adaptive change at branch points and is not the classic earliest lesion. Fatty streaks may regress or progress to clinically significant plaques.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.