This document discusses arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis. It defines arteriosclerosis as hardening of the arteries, and identifies three patterns: small artery disease; calcification in aging muscular arteries; and atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is caused by fatty lesions called atheromas that protrude into arteries. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include age, gender, genetics, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes. The pathogenesis involves endothelial injury, lipoprotein accumulation, monocyte recruitment, and smooth muscle cell proliferation. Morphologically, atherosclerosis begins as fatty streaks and progresses to atheromatous plaques containing lipids, cells, and extracellular matrix.