Plaque vs. Patch — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 9, 2024
Plaque refers to a deposit on teeth or within blood vessels that can cause health issues, while a patch is a piece of material used to cover a hole or reinforce an area.
Difference Between Plaque and Patch
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Plaques are accumulations of substances, commonly found on teeth as a result of bacterial action or within arteries leading to atherosclerosis. These deposits can lead to serious health problems such as tooth decay and cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, patches are materials applied over a surface for various purposes, including repairing, covering, or reinforcing damaged areas. They can be made from diverse materials like fabric, metal, or software code, depending on their application.
Plaque formation in the body is a biological process that can have negative health implications, necessitating preventive care and treatment to mitigate risks associated with conditions like heart disease and dental cavities. Whereas patches serve a predominantly protective or corrective function, whether it’s mending clothing, sealing leaks, or updating software to fix vulnerabilities.
In dental care, the term "plaque" signifies a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth, which can lead to cavities and gum disease if not regularly cleaned. Patches, in a medical context, might refer to transdermal patches that deliver medication through the skin to treat various conditions, showcasing their role in healthcare beyond just repair and reinforcement.
The concept of plaque also extends to microbiology, where it can describe a visible mass of microorganisms grown on a culture medium, indicating bacterial growth or viral presence. Patches, conversely, have a broad application range outside of biology, such as in technology where they’re used to update or fix software, highlighting the versatility of patches in comparison to the more specialized nature of plaques.
Environmental plaques, especially in water bodies, can indicate pollution or the presence of invasive species, affecting ecosystem health. Patches, in environmental contexts, could refer to areas undergoing restoration or patches of habitat critical for wildlife conservation, underscoring the adaptive use of patches towards environmental preservation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A deposit on teeth or within arteries.
A piece of material used for repair or covering.
Context
Medical, dental, and environmental.
Medical, textile, environmental, and technology.
Purpose
Primarily causes health issues.
Used for repair, reinforcement, or updates.
Material or Composition
Biological substances, bacteria, lipids.
Fabric, metal, software code, medical compounds.
Application
On teeth, within arteries, or on surfaces.
Over holes, damaged areas, or software systems.
Compare with Definitions
Plaque
A flat plate commemorating an event or person.
The building's entrance was adorned with a plaque honoring its architect.
Patch
An area differing from its surroundings.
A patch of ice on the road caused the car to skid.
Plaque
In pathology, any flat, disc-like lesion on the skin.
Psoriasis can cause plaques that are itchy and scaly.
Patch
A piece of fabric used to repair clothing.
She sewed a patch onto the torn knee of her jeans.
Plaque
In microbiology, a mass of bacteria on a culture medium.
The lab technician observed the formation of a bacterial plaque.
Patch
A small software update.
The latest patch fixed several security vulnerabilities.
Plaque
Accumulation of fatty deposits inside arteries.
High cholesterol levels can lead to plaque buildup in arteries.
Patch
A medical treatment through the skin.
Nicotine patches help people quit smoking.
Plaque
A deposit of harmful substances on teeth.
Regular brushing helps remove dental plaque.
Patch
A small garden plot.
He grows vegetables in a small patch in his backyard.
Plaque
An ornamental tablet, typically of metal, porcelain, or wood, that is fixed to a wall or other surface in commemoration of a person or event.
Patch
A small piece of material affixed to another, larger piece to conceal, reinforce, or repair a worn area, hole, or tear.
Plaque
A sticky deposit on teeth in which bacteria proliferate
Plaque around gum margins can lead to gingivitis
Patch
A small piece of cloth used for patchwork.
Plaque
A small, distinct, typically raised patch or region on or within the body resulting from local damage or deposition of material, such as a fatty deposit on an artery wall in atherosclerosis or a site of localized damage of brain tissue in Alzheimer's disease.
Patch
A small cloth badge affixed to a garment as a decoration or an insignia, as of a military unit.
Plaque
A flat counter used in gambling.
Patch
A dressing or covering applied to protect a wound or sore.
Plaque
A flat plate, slab, or disk that is ornamented or engraved for mounting, as on a wall for decoration or on a monument for information.
Patch
A pad or shield of cloth worn over an eye socket or an injured eye.
Plaque
A small pin or brooch worn as an ornament or a badge of membership.
Patch
A transdermal patch.
Plaque
A scaly patch on a body part, especially the skin.
Patch
See beauty spot.
Plaque
A biofilm of bacteria in a matrix of polysaccharides and other substances on the surface of a tooth or teeth.
Patch
A small piece, part, or section, especially that which differs from or contrasts with the whole
A patch of thin ice.
Patches of sunlight.
Plaque
A deposit of fatty material on the inner lining of an arterial wall, characteristic of atherosclerosis.
Patch
A small plot or piece of land, especially one that produces or is used for growing specific vegetation
A briar patch.
A bean patch.
Plaque
The material that such a deposit is composed of.
Patch
An indefinite period of time; a spell
Weathered a difficult patch after losing his job.
Plaque
A deposit consisting mainly of beta-amyloid and degenerating nerve tissue, found in the brain tissue of people with Alzheimer's disease.
Patch
A temporary, removable electronic connection, as one between two components in a communications system.
Plaque
A sharply defined zone of demyelination in the central nervous system characteristic of multiple sclerosis.
Patch
(Computers) A piece of code added to software in order to fix a bug, especially as a temporary correction between two releases.
Plaque
A clear, often round patch of lysed cells in an otherwise opaque layer of a bacteria or cell culture.
Patch
To put a patch or patches on
Patched my pants.
Plaque
(countable) Any flat, thin piece of clay, ivory, metal, etc., used for ornament, or for painting pictures upon, as a dish, plate, slab, etc., hung upon a wall; also, a smaller decoration worn by a person, such as a brooch.
Patch
To make by sewing scraps of material together
Patch a quilt.
Plaque
(countable) A piece of flat metal with writing on it, attached to a building, monument, or other structure to remind people of a person or an event.
Patch
To mend, repair, or put together, especially hastily, clumsily, or poorly
They patched together the broken statues with glue and plaster. The delegates will be forced to patch up their differences.
Plaque
(countable) A small card representing an amount of money, used for betting in casinos; a sort of gaming chip.
Patch
To connect temporarily (electronic components), as with a patch cord.
Plaque
A clearing in a bacterial lawn caused by a virus.
Patch
(Computers) To correct a bug in (an item of software), especially as a temporary correction between releases.
Plaque
In the Hornbostel–Sachs classification system: any flat, thin musical instrument.
Blown plaques
Aconcussion plaques
Patch
(Electronics) To be connected temporarily.
Plaque
A broad patch of abnormal tissue distinguishable from surrounding tissue, especially a broad irritated]] patch on the skin.
Patch
A piece of cloth, or other suitable material, sewed or otherwise fixed upon a garment to repair or strengthen it, especially upon an old garment to cover a hole.
His sleeves had patches on the elbows where different fabric had been sewn on to replace material that had worn away.
Plaque
An abnormal accumulation of material in or on an organ of the body, often associated with disease.
Amyloid plaque
Apleural plaque
Asenile plaque
Patch
A small piece of anything used to repair damage or a breach; as, a patch on a kettle, a roof, etc.
I can't afford to replace the roof, which is what it really needs. I'll have the roofer apply a patch.
Plaque
An accumulation in artery walls made up of macrophage cells and debris containing lipids, (cholesterol and fatty acids), calcium, and connective tissue; an atheroma.
Patch
A piece of any size, used to repair something for a temporary period only, or that it is temporary because it is not meant to last long or will be removed as soon as a proper repair can be made, which will happen in the near future.
Before you can fix a dam, you have to apply a patch to the hole so that everything can dry off.
"This patch should hold until you reach the city," the mechanic said as he patted the car's hood.
Plaque
An accumulation of biofilm, or bacteria, on teeth, which may develop into dental calculus (tartar).
Patch
A small, usually contrasting but always somehow different or distinct, part of something else (location, time, size)
The world economy had a rough patch in the 1930s.
To me, a normal cow is white with black patches, but Sarah's from Texas and most of the cows there have solid brown, black, or red coats.
Doesn't that patch of clouds looks like a bunny?
When ice skating, be sure to stay away from reeds: there are always thin patches of ice there, and you could fall through.
Plaque
A deposit of beta-amyloid protein occurring in a nerve cell and associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Patch
A small area, a small plot of land or piece of ground.
Scattered patches of trees or growing corn.
Plaque
Any flat, thin piece of metal, clay, ivory, or the like, used for ornament, or for painting pictures upon, as a slab, plate, dish, or the like, hung upon a wall; also, a smaller decoration worn on the person, as a brooch.
Patch
A local region of professional responsibility.
Plaque
(pathology) a small abnormal patch on or inside the body
Patch
(historical) A small piece of black silk stuck on the face or neck to heighten beauty by contrast, worn by ladies in the 17th and 18th centuries; an imitation beauty mark.
Plaque
A memorial made of brass
Patch
(medicine) A piece of material used to cover a wound.
Patch
(medicine) An adhesive piece of material, impregnated with a drug, which is worn on the skin, the drug being slowly absorbed over a period of time.
Many people use a nicotine patch to wean themselves off of nicotine.
Patch
(medicine) A cover worn over a damaged eye, an eyepatch.
He had scratched his cornea so badly that his doctor told him to wear a patch.
Patch
A block on the muzzle of a gun, to do away with the effect of dispart, in sighting.
Patch
(computing) A patch file, a file that describes changes to be made to a computer file or files, usually changes made to a computer program that fix a programming bug.
Patch
(firearms) A small piece of material that is manually passed through a gun barrel to clean it.
Patch
(firearms) A piece of greased cloth or leather used as wrapping for a rifle ball, to make it fit the bore.
Patch
A cable connecting two pieces of electrical equipment.
Soundboard patch
Patch
(music) A sound setting for a musical synthesizer (originally selected by means of a patch cable).
Patch
An overlay used to obtain a stronger impression.
Patch
A butterfly of the genus Chlosyne.
Patch
(archaic) A paltry fellow; a rogue; a ninny; a fool.
Patch
To mend by sewing on a piece or pieces of cloth, leather, or the like
My coat needs patching.
Patch
To mend with pieces; to repair by fastening pieces on.
Patch
To make out of pieces or patches, like a quilt.
Patch
To join or unite the pieces of; to patch the skirt.
Patch
To employ a temporary, removable electronic connection, as one between two components in a communications system.
Patch
(generally with the particle "up") To repair or arrange in a hasty or clumsy manner
The truce between the two countries has been patched up.
Patch
(computing) To make the changes a patch describes; to apply a patch to the files in question. Hence:
Patch
To fix or improve a computer program without a complete upgrade.
Patch
To make a quick and possibly temporary change to a program.
Patch
To connect two pieces of electrical equipment using a cable.
I'll need to patch the preamp output to the mixer.
Patch
A piece of cloth, or other suitable material, sewed or otherwise fixed upon a garment to repair or strengthen it, esp. upon an old garment to cover a hole.
Patches set upon a little breach.
Patch
A small piece of anything used to repair a breach; as, a patch on a kettle, a roof, etc.
Patch
A small piece of black silk stuck on the face, or neck, to hide a defect, or to heighten beauty.
Your black patches you wear variously.
Patch
A piece of greased cloth or leather used as wrapping for a rifle ball, to make it fit the bore.
Patch
Fig.: Anything regarded as a patch; a small piece of ground; a tract; a plot; as, scattered patches of trees or growing corn.
Employed about this patch of ground.
Patch
A block on the muzzle of a gun, to do away with the effect of dispart, in sighting.
Patch
A paltry fellow; a rogue; a ninny; a fool.
Patch
To mend by sewing on a piece or pieces of cloth, leather, or the like; as, to patch a coat.
Patch
To mend with pieces; to repair with pieces festened on; to repair clumsily; as, to patch the roof of a house.
Patch
To adorn, as the face, with a patch or patches.
Ladies who patched both sides of their faces.
Patch
To make of pieces or patches; to repair as with patches; to arrange in a hasty or clumsy manner; - generally with up; as, to patch up a truce.
Patch
A small contrasting part of something;
A bald spot
A leopard's spots
A patch of clouds
Patches of thin ice
A fleck of red
Patch
A small area of ground covered by specific vegetation;
A bean plot
A cabbage patch
A briar patch
Patch
A piece of cloth used as decoration or to mend or cover a hole
Patch
A period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition;
He was here for a little while
I need to rest for a piece
A spell of good weather
A patch of bad weather
Patch
A short set of commands to correct a bug in a computer program
Patch
A connection intended to be used for a limited time
Patch
Sewing or darning that repairs a worn or torn hole (especially in a garment);
Her stockings had several mends
Patch
A protective cloth covering for an injured eye
Patch
A piece of soft material that covers and protects an injured part of the body
Patch
To join or unite the pieces of;
Patch the skirt
Patch
Provide with a patch; also used metaphorically;
The field was patched with snow
Patch
Mend by putting a patch on;
Patch a hole
Patch
Repair by adding pieces;
She pieced the china cup
Common Curiosities
How do patches work in software?
Software patches update or fix certain parts of the software without requiring a complete reinstall.
Are patches effective for quitting smoking?
Nicotine patches can be effective as part of a comprehensive plan to quit smoking by providing a controlled dose of nicotine.
Is plaque formation a reversible process?
While some plaque buildup can be managed or reduced, preventing its formation is more effective.
Can patches be used on all types of fabric?
Most patches are versatile, but their effectiveness can vary depending on the fabric type and the adhesive used.
What causes dental plaque?
Dental plaque is caused by the accumulation of bacteria and food particles on the teeth.
What materials can be used for patches?
Patches can be made from fabrics, metals, or synthetic materials, depending on their use.
Can plaque in arteries be removed?
Yes, through medical interventions like medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, surgery.
Can patches be used to fix leaks?
Yes, certain patches are designed to seal leaks in various materials like pipes and roofs.
How often should software be patched?
Software should be patched as soon as updates are available to protect against vulnerabilities.
Are all skin patches for medical use?
While many are for medical treatments, some patches serve cosmetic or protective purposes.
Do dental plaques cause bad breath?
Yes, the bacteria in dental plaque can produce odors leading to bad breath.
What is the significance of commemorative plaques?
They honor historical events, figures, or significant achievements.
What's the difference between a software patch and an update?
A patch addresses specific issues or vulnerabilities, while an update provides broader improvements or new features.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
