What condition occurs when the layers of an artery separate, causing blood flow between the layers?

The condition described is known as a dissecting aneurysm. This occurs when there is a tear in the intimal layer of the artery wall, which allows blood to flow between the layers of the arterial wall instead of just within the lumen of the artery. This separation can lead to significant complications, including the potential for rupture of the vessel or obstruction of blood flow to vital organs.

In a dissecting aneurysm, this abnormal blood flow can create a false lumen, which can extend either proximally or distally from the tear, often causing pain and other symptoms. The presence of a dissecting aneurysm requires immediate medical attention, as it poses a risk of life-threatening outcomes.

Other conditions listed, such as an aneurysm, thrombosis, and arteriovenous malformation, involve different pathophysiological processes and do not describe this specific separation of arterial layers with blood flow occurring in between them. Understanding the distinctions between these conditions is important for accurate diagnosis and management in clinical settings.