Atheroma plaques. Coloured 3D frontal computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen of a 72 year old. Many atheroma plaques (fatty deposits) are seen lining the aorta (running down centre), the body's main artery, and the iliac arteries, which branch from the aorta and serve the legs. The plaques narrow the arteries, raising blood pressure. Treatment is usually with either balloon angioplasty or a stent to re-open the arteries. The discs between the patient's vertebrae (blocks that make up the spine) have degenerated, causing scoliosis, a lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.