Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a localized abnormal widening of a blood vessel or heart chamber, usually associated with weakness in its wall. It may enlarge, rupture, or cause problems by compressing nearby structures.

Laplace's law: A relationship connecting pressure, radius, and wall tension in a curved structure. As an aneurysm widens, increased wall tension can raise the risk of further expansion.
Artery: A blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. Most aneurysms discussed clinically occur in arteries exposed to pulsatile pressure.
Computed tomography angiography: Imaging that combines computed tomography with injected contrast to show blood vessels. It can define an aneurysm's size, location, and anatomy for treatment planning.
Pseudoaneurysm: A blood-filled cavity outside a vessel's normal wall layers that remains connected to its lumen. Unlike a true aneurysm, it lacks the complete vessel wall layers in its boundary.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Bleeding into the space between the brain and the tissues covering it. Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm is a major cause of this emergency.
Aneurysm rupture: A tear through an aneurysm wall that causes blood to escape into surrounding spaces. Rupture is the most immediately life-threatening consequence of wall failure.
Aorta: The main artery carrying blood from the heart to the body. Aneurysms commonly affect the abdominal or thoracic portions of this vessel.
Magnetic resonance angiography: Magnetic resonance imaging used to visualize blood vessels, often with or without contrast agents. It offers a way to assess selected aneurysms without ionizing radiation.
Aortic dissection: A tear in the aortic inner layer that allows blood to split the wall's layers apart. Dissection separates wall layers rather than simply widening the vessel.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm: An abnormal enlargement of the aorta within the abdomen. Its rupture can cause massive internal bleeding and rapid circulatory collapse.

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