Final answer:
In infectious endocarditis, vegetations are patches of tissue-associated bacteria that form on the heart valves, leading to damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
In infectious endocarditis, the vegetations are patches of tissue-associated bacteria that form on the heart valves.
These vegetations are visible as bacterial clumps on the valve tissues.
They occur as a result of the immune response and can lead to damage of the heart valves.