Figure 1.

Glagov phenomenon showing plaque development over time in vessel cross-sections and along the length of the vessel. Compared to a normal vessel (A), early plaque development (B) causes outward remodeling of the vessel wall, which leads to either no change in vessel diameter or slight dilatation. Over time the compensatory dilatation of the vessel fails and the plaque begins to encroach upon the vessel lumen (C,D). Arrow heads identify the region from where the cross-sectional depictions are taken from the length-wise view of the vessels.