Arteriolosclerosis primarily affects which vessels?

• A. Small Arteries and Arterioles
• B. Medium Arteries
• C. Large Arteries
• D. Capillaries

Answer: (A)

Arteriolosclerosis is a disease of the microvasculature, affecting the tiny vessels—the small arteries and arterioles. In these vessels, the vessel wall thickens and loses elasticity, leading to a narrowed lumen and reduced blood flow. This pattern is classically seen with conditions like hypertension and diabetes, where subtle changes in the arteriolar walls drive end-organ microvascular damage. It’s distinct from atherosclerosis, which targets larger and mid-sized arteries with lipid-rich plaques. Capillaries aren’t the primary site of arteriolosclerosis, though downstream tissue perfusion can be influenced by the upstream arteriolar changes. So, the vessels most affected are the small arteries and arterioles.