Monckeberg Medial Sclerosis involves calcification of the tunica media in which vessels?

Monckeberg Medial Sclerosis involves calcification of the tunica media in which vessels?

• A. Large Elastic Arteries
• B. Capillaries
• C. Medium Muscular Arteries
• D. Small Arteries

Answer: (C)

Monckeberg medial sclerosis is a form of calcification that targets the tunica media of arteries, not the intima. This pattern occurs most clearly in medium-sized muscular arteries, such as those in the limbs. The calcium deposits stiffen the vessel wall while the lumen often remains relatively unchanged, giving a “pipe-stem” appearance on imaging. This is distinct from atherosclerosis, which thickens and narrows the lumen due to intimal lipid plaques. Capillaries lack a tunica media, so they aren’t the site of this process, and large elastic arteries are affected by different aging and disease patterns. So the best match is medium muscular arteries.

Monckeberg medial sclerosis is a form of calcification that targets the tunica media of arteries, not the intima. This pattern occurs most clearly in medium-sized muscular arteries, such as those in the limbs. The calcium deposits stiffen the vessel wall while the lumen often remains relatively unchanged, giving a “pipe-stem” appearance on imaging. This is distinct from atherosclerosis, which thickens and narrows the lumen due to intimal lipid plaques. Capillaries lack a tunica media, so they aren’t the site of this process, and large elastic arteries are affected by different aging and disease patterns. So the best match is medium muscular arteries.