Origin: Greek suffix -osis
Atherosclerosis has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
a stage of arteriosclerosis involving fatty deposits (atheromas) inside the arterial walls, thus narrowing the arteries
"The doctor explained that his recent chest pain was caused by advanced atherosclerosis, where years of accumulated plaque had severely narrowed the major arteries supplying blood to his heart."
The clogging or hardening of arteries or blood vessels caused by plaques (accumulations of fatty deposits, usually cholesterol).
"The doctor diagnosed him with atherosclerosis after noticing the severe blockages in his coronary arteries that were caused by years of accumulated cholesterol."