What does AVM stand for?

• A. Arteriovenous Malformation
• B. Atrioventricular Malformation
• C. Arterial Venous Malformation
• D. Arteriovenous Mutation

Answer: (B)

AVM stands for Arteriovenous Malformation. This describes an abnormal tangle of blood vessels that creates a direct connection between an artery and a vein, bypassing the capillary network. That direct artery-to-vein link is what defines an AVM. The term is not related to the heart’s chambers (that would be atrioventricular), and the standard phrasing isn’t “arterial venous malformation” or “arteriovenous mutation.” In many cases AVMs are congenital and can occur in the brain, where they may cause symptoms like headaches, seizures, or bleeding, influencing how they’re treated (often with a combination of endovascular, surgical, or radiosurgical approaches).