What condition is characterized by the build-up of fatty material on the inner artery walls?

The condition characterized by the build-up of fatty material on the inner artery walls is known as atherosclerosis. This process involves the accumulation of lipids, cholesterol, and other substances that form plaques within the arteries, which can lead to narrowing and hardening of the artery walls. Atherosclerosis is a significant concern because it can restrict blood flow and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks, and strokes.

In contrast, arteriosclerosis describes a broader category of arterial disease that includes the hardening and loss of elasticity of arterial walls, but it is not specific to the buildup of fatty materials. While arteriosclerosis can encompass elements of atherosclerosis, the term does not exclusively denote the fatty plaques that characterize atherosclerosis.

Metastases refer to the spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another, while benign tumors are non-cancerous growths that do not spread. Neither of these terms relates to the fatty build-up in arteries. Understanding these distinctions highlights how atherosclerosis specifically deals with arterial health and the implications it has for cardiovascular disease.