Plaque
1. An semi-hardened accumulation of substances from fluids that bathe an area. Examples include dental plaque and cholesterol plaque.
Minerals form dental plaque around the teeth as a result of bacterial action on food particles. Dental plaque provides an ideal environment for dental caries (cavities) to develop. To reduce the risk, plaque should be removed by daily brushing and flossing, and by regular dental cleanings. When allowed to remain, plaque hardens and is called tartar or calculus.
Cholesterol is a key component in plaques on the inner walls of blood vessels and can lead to blood clot formation. heart attacks, and stroke. The risk of these problems can be reduced by maintaining normal blood cholesterol and sometimes requires medications.
2. In dermatology, a plaque is a patch of a small area of skin that appears different than the surrounding skin and is usually raised.
Read Also:
- Plaque psoriasis
The most common form of psoriasis — about 80% of people with psoriasis have this type. Plaque psoriasis can appear on any skin surface, although the knees, elbows, scalp, and trunk and are the most common locations. It is characterized by well-defined plaques of red raised skin. The flaky silvery white buildup on top of […]
- Plaque, skin
A broad, raised area on the skin. A skin plaque is broader than it is high.
- Plasma
The liquid part of the blood and lymphatic fluid, which makes up about half of the volume of blood. Plasma is devoid of cells and, unlike serum, has not clotted. Blood plasma contains antibodies and other proteins. It is taken from donors and made into medications for a variety of blood-related conditions.
- Plasma cell
A type of white blood cell that produces and secretes antibodies. A plasma cell is a fully differentiated, mature lymphocyte in the B cell lineage. As with most cell types, plasma cells can mutate to give rise to cancer. Plasma cell malignancies include plasmacytoma, multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, and plasma cell leukemia. Also known as […]
- Plasma donation
The donation or sale of blood plasma for use in medical or other products. Unlike blood donors, most plasma donors in the US are paid. The procedure is done in a walk-in facility, where whole blood is taken through an IV needle and separated into plasma and blood cells. The blood cells are then returned […]