What is Plaque?

An unwanted deposit of a certain substance on tissues, often with the potential to cause some type of health problem. The buildup of plaque in the arteries is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease; plaque deposits on the teeth can lead to gum disease; Alzheimer’s disease is associated with the accumulation of characteristics plaques in brain tissue.

The illustration shows a normal artery with normal blood flow (figure A) and an artery containing plaque buildup (figure B).