What is the process characterized by the thickening of the tunica intima of the arteries due to fatty deposits?

The process characterized by the thickening of the tunica intima of the arteries due to fatty deposits is known as atherosclerosis. This condition involves the accumulation of lipids, cholesterol, and other substances on the artery walls, leading to the formation of plaques. These plaques can narrow the arteries, reduce blood flow, and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. Atherosclerosis typically develops over time and is influenced by various risk factors including high cholesterol levels, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes.

The other options do not pertain to the same process. Embolism refers to the blockage of a blood vessel by an embolus, which could be a blood clot, air bubble, or other foreign material, but does not specifically involve fatty deposits or thickening of the arterial wall. Thrombopenia is a condition characterized by low platelet counts in the blood, affecting clotting processes rather than the structure of blood vessels. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus, unrelated to the arterial changes associated with atherosclerosis. Thus, atherosclerosis distinctly stands out as the only condition described in the question.