An excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall.

• A. Empyema
• B. Angina
• C. Aneurysm
• D. Asbestosis

Answer: (C)

An aneurysm is an excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by weakening of the arterial wall. When the wall becomes thinner or loses structural integrity, the force of blood flow pushes it outward, creating a bulging segment that’s larger than normal. This enlargement is typically localized to one area of the artery and can occur in places like the abdominal aorta or brain arteries. Because the weakened wall is prone to rupture, aneurysms can be life-threatening and often require monitoring or repair if they reach a certain size.

Other terms don’t describe this condition: empyema is a collection of pus in the pleural space around the lungs; angina refers to chest pain due to insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle; asbestosis is scarring of the lungs from asbestos exposure.