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When we hear the term aneurysm, we generally think of aneurysms that occur in the brain or in the cardiovascular system. The term is taken from the greek word, aneurysma, which means widening. The modern meaning of the word aneurysm is "dilation of a blood vessel wall". Aneurysm can be caused by high blood pressure and by atherosclerosis (atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis that leads to the narrowing and hardening of arteries), although in some cases an aneurysm may be caused by trauma or infection. Aortic aneuryms are common. However, aneurysms can occur in other blood vessels. The danger of an aneurysm lies in the fact that a rupture can lead to a hemorrhage or an embolism. |
