atherogenic
|a-ther-o-gen-ic|
🇺🇸
/ˌæθəroʊˈdʒɛnɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌæθərəʊˈdʒɛnɪk/
promotes artery plaque
Etymology
'atherogenic' originates from New Latin and Ancient Greek, specifically the Greek word 'athēra' (used in medical Latin as 'atheroma') meaning 'porridge, gruel' (metaphorically a fatty deposit) and the suffix '-genic' from Greek 'gennan'/'-genēs' meaning 'born of, producing'.
'athēra' (Greek) gave rise to Latin medical 'atheroma' meaning a fatty deposit; the combining form 'athero-' was later used in modern medical formation, and the adjective 'atherogenic' was formed in medical English in the 19th–20th centuries to mean 'producing atheroma'.
Initially 'athēra' literally meant 'porridge' and was used metaphorically for fatty deposits; over time the combined form and suffix came to mean 'producing or causing atheroma', the current medical meaning of 'atherogenic'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
noun form related to 'atherogenic': 'atherogenesis' — the process of formation of atheromas or atherosclerotic plaques in the arterial wall.
Atherogenesis begins with endothelial injury and lipid accumulation in the arterial intima.
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Adjective 1
tending to promote the formation of atheromas or atherosclerotic plaques in arteries; causing or contributing to atherosclerosis.
Atherogenic diets are high in saturated fats and cholesterol and increase the risk of coronary artery disease.
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Last updated: 2025/11/11 00:18