Ectasia (), also called ectasis (), is dilation or distention of a tubular structure, either normal or pathophysiologic but usually the latter (except in

atelectasis Atelectasis is the collapse or closure of a lung resulting in reduced or absent gas exchange. It is usually unilateral, affecting part or all of one lung. It is a condition where the alveoli are deflated down to little or no volume, as distinct ...

, where absence of ectasis is the problem).

Specific conditions

Bronchiectasis Bronchiectasis is a disease in which there is permanent enlargement of parts of the bronchi, airways of the lung. Symptoms typically include a chronic cough with sputum, mucus production. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, hemoptysis, co ...

, chronic dilatation of the bronchi *

Duct ectasia of breast Duct ectasia of the breast, mammary duct ectasia or plasma cell mastitis is a condition that occurs when a milk duct beneath the nipple widens, the duct walls thicken, and the duct fills with fluid. This is the most common cause of greenish dischar ...

, a dilated milk duct. Duct ectasia syndrome is a synonym for nonpuerperal (unrelated to pregnancy and breastfeeding) mastitis. * Dural ectasia, dilation of the

dural sac Dural is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia 36 kilometres north-west of the Sydney central business district in the Local government in Australia, local government areas of Hornsby Shire and The Hills Shire. Dural is ...

surrounding the

spinal cord The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, which extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column (backbone). The backbone encloses the central canal of the spi ...

, usually in the very low back. *

Pyelectasis Pyelectasis is a dilation of the renal pelvis. It is a relatively common ultrasound finding in fetuses and is three times more common in male fetuses. In most cases pyelectasis resolves normally, having no ill effects on the baby. The significance ...

, dilation of a part of the kidney, most frequently seen in prenatal ultrasounds. It usually resolves on its own. *

Rete tubular ectasia Rete tubular ectasia , also known as cystic transformation of rete testis is a benign condition, usually found in older men, involving numerous small, tubular cystic structures within the rete testis. Presentation It is usually found in men older ...

, dilation of tubular structures in the

testicle A testicle or testis (plural testes) is the male reproductive gland or gonad in all bilaterians, including humans. It is homologous to the female ovary. The functions of the testes are to produce both sperm and androgens, primarily testostero ...

s. It is usually found in older men. * Acral arteriolar ectasia *

Corneal ectasia Corneal ectatic disorders or corneal ectasia are a group of uncommon, noninflammatory, eye disorders characterised by bilateral thinning of the central, paracentral, or peripheral cornea. Types * Keratoconus, a progressive, noninflammatory, bilater ...

(secondary

keratoconus Keratoconus (KC) is a disorder of the eye that results in progressive thinning of the cornea. This may result in blurry vision, double vision, nearsightedness, irregular astigmatism, and light sensitivity leading to poor quality-of-life. Usu ...

), a bulging of the cornea. ;Vascular ectasias * Most broadly, any abnormal dilatation of a blood vessel, including

aneurysm An aneurysm is an outward bulging, likened to a bubble or balloon, caused by a localized, abnormal, weak spot on a blood vessel wall. Aneurysms may be a result of a hereditary condition or an acquired disease. Aneurysms can also be a nidus (s ...

s * Annuloaortic ectasia, dilation of the aorta. It can be associated with

Marfan syndrome Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a multi-systemic genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue. Those with the condition tend to be tall and thin, with long arms, legs, fingers, and toes. They also typically have exceptionally flexible joints a ...

."Annuloaortic Ectasia"
Stanford Hospital & Clinics - Stanford Medicine. Stanford Hospital & Clinics. 2009. Web. 6 Nov. 2009. *

Dolichoectasias The term dolichoectasia means elongation and distension. It is used to characterize arteries throughout the human body which have shown significant deterioration of their tunica intima (and occasionally the tunica media), weakening the vessel wal ...

, weakening of arteries, usually caused by

high blood pressure Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long-term high bl ...

. *

Intracranial dolichoectasias The term dolichoectasia means elongation and distension. It is used to characterize arteries throughout the human body which have shown significant deterioration of their tunica intima (and occasionally the tunica media), weakening the vessel wal ...

, dilation of arteries inside the

head A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may ...

. *

Gastric antral vascular ectasia Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is an uncommon cause of chronic gastrointestinal bleeding or iron deficiency anemia. The condition is associated with dilated small blood vessels in the pyloric antrum, which is a distal part of the stomach. T ...

, dilation of small blood vessels in the last part of the stomach. *

Telangiectasia Telangiectasias, also known as spider veins, are small dilated blood vessels that can occur near the surface of the skin or mucous membranes, measuring between 0.5 and 1 millimeter in diameter. These dilated blood vessels can develop anywhere on ...

s are small dilated blood vessels found anywhere on the body, but commonly seen on the face around the nose, cheeks, and chin. * Venous ectasia, dilation of

vein Veins are blood vessels in humans and most other animals that carry blood towards the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated b ...

s or venules, such as: **

Chronic venous insufficiency Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a medical condition in which blood pools in the veins, straining the walls of the vein. The most common cause of CVI is superficial venous reflux which is a treatable condition. As functional venous valves are ...

, often in the leg **

Jugular vein ectasia Jugular vein ectasia is a venous anomaly that commonly presents itself as a unilateral neck swelling in children and adults. It is rare to have bilateral neck swelling due to internal jugular vein ectasia. References External links Vascul ...

, in the jugular veins returning blood from the head

References

{{reflist Anatomy Pathophysiology

Specific conditions

See also

References