VARICOSE VEINS
DEFINITION |
|
|
Varicose veins are dilated, tortuous,
elongated superficial veins that are usually seen in the legs.
Varicose veins, also called varicosities, are seen most often in the
legs, although they can be found in other parts of the body. Most
often, they appear as lumpy, winding vessels just below the surface
of the skin. There are three types of veins, superficial veins that
are just beneath the surface of the skin, deep veins that are large
blood vessels found deep inside muscles, and perforator veins that
connect the superficial veins to the deep veins. The superficial
veins are the blood vessels most often affected by varicose veins
and are the veins seen by eye when the varicose condition has
developed.
The inside wall of veins have valves that open and close in response
to the blood flow. When the left ventricle of the heart pushes blood
out into the aorta, it produces the high pressure pulse of the
heartbeat and pushes blood throughout the body. Between heartbeats,
there is a period of low blood pressure. During the low pressure
period, blood in the veins is affected by gravity and wants to flow
downward. The valves in the veins prevent this from happening.
Varicose veins start when one or more valves fail to close. The
blood pressure in that section of vein increases, causing additional
valves to fail. This allows blood to pool and stretch the veins,
further weakening the walls of the veins. The walls of the affected
veins lose their elasticity in response to increased blood pressure.
As the vessels weaken, more and more valves are unable to close
properly. The veins become larger and wider over time and begin to
appear as lumpy, winding chains underneath the skin. Varicose veins
can develop in the deep veins also. Varicose veins in the
superficial veins are called primary varicosities, while varicose
veins in the deep veins are called secondary varicosities. |
|
|
| VARICOSE VEINS RELATED ITEMS |
|
|
|
|
