Human aorta and heart in a serious case of atheromatosis. The aorta has been opened to show the intimal surface. There are many atheromatous plaques of irregular contour and yellow to whitish colour. Some of them, mainly on the left side, show ulcerations. The holes located on the bottom are openings of intercostal arteries. The three leaflets (or flaps) of the aortic valve can be seen at bottom right.