Blood-filled protrusion in the wall of a blood vessel (usually an artery, and particularly the aorta). Disease or injury weakens the wall so that normal blood pressure makes it balloon out. Typically, the two inner layers rupture and the outer layer bulges. In a false aneurysm, all three layers rupture and surrounding tissues hold the blood in place. Symptoms vary with size and location. Aneurysms tend to enlarge over time, and blood-vessel walls weaken with age. Many aneurysms eventually burst, causing serious, even massive, internal bleeding; aortic aneurysm rupture causes severe pain and immediate collapse. Rupture of an aneurysm in the brain is a major cause of strokes. Treatment can consist of simply tying off a small vessel; more serious aneurysms require surgery to replace the diseased section of artery with a plastic graft
An abnormal balloon-like bulging of an artery's wall that can cause a hemorrhagic stroke (if the aneursym is in the brain) or life-threatening loss of blood
A localised pathological dilatation of a blood vessel An aneurysm may be congenital or may occur secondary to weakness of the blood vessel wall due to cardiovascular disease (atheroma etc )
Weakness or injury to the wall of a blood vessel causing dilatation or ballooning and, in severe cases, threatening the integrity of the circulatory system resulting in hemorrhage or stroke A weakened point of an artery, vein or the heart