Kollaterale

Kollaterale is a German noun used to denote collateral in several specialized contexts. In finance, it refers to assets pledged by a borrower to secure a loan or other obligation. The collateral provides security for the lender and may be claimed or liquidated if the borrower defaults. Common forms include real estate, vehicles, securities, or receivables, and the treatment of collateral is governed by contract terms and applicable law.

In medicine, Kollaterale denotes collateral vessels that form alternate pathways for blood flow when a main vessel is narrowed or blocked. This collateral circulation (Kollateralkreislauf) can develop in response to chronic ischemia and can influence the prognosis of diseases such as coronary artery disease. The extent of collateral flow depends on anatomy, prior procedures, and metabolic factors.

Beyond finance and medicine, the term is used in related fields to indicate secondary or supporting elements that provide security or redundancy. The word derives from Latin collateralis, meaning side-by-side, and is cognate with the English term collateral.