A ____________ plaque is an embolism found in the retina caused by a cholesterol plaque.

A Hollenhorst plaque is specifically defined as an embolus originating from a cholesterol material that lodges in the retinal vessels. These plaques are often a result of systemic atherosclerotic disease, where fragments of cholesterol-laden plaque can dislodge and travel through the bloodstream until they reach a narrower vessel, ultimately causing an obstruction.

The identification of a Hollenhorst plaque is significant in clinical practice, as its presence can indicate underlying cardiovascular issues, including atherosclerosis, and can serve as an important diagnostic marker for the risk of future vascular events in other parts of the body.

This distinguishes Hollenhorst plaques from the other types of plaques listed: a fatty plaque is a more general term that does not specifically refer to emboli located in the retina; calcific plaques are associated with calcifications, often related to aging or other metabolic processes rather than cholesterol; and thrombotic plaques typically pertain to blood clots formed within a vessel, not derived from cholesterol. Each of these options refers to different pathological entities, but Hollenhorst plaques uniquely represent the retinal emboli formed from cholesterol and are critical for assessing systemic vascular health.