A varix (pl. varices) is an abnormally dilated vessel with a tortuous course. Varices usually occur in the
venous system
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 ...
, but may also occur in
arterial
An artery (plural arteries) () is a blood vessel in humans and most animals that takes blood away from the heart to one or more parts of the body (tissues, lungs, brain etc.). Most arteries carry oxygenated blood; the two exceptions are the pu ...
or
lymphatic
Lymph (from Latin, , meaning "water") is the fluid that flows through the lymphatic system, a system composed of lymph vessels (channels) and intervening lymph nodes whose function, like the venous system, is to return fluid from the tissues to ...
vessels.
Examples of varices include:
*
Varicose veins
Varicose veins, also known as varicoses, are a medical condition in which superficial veins become enlarged and twisted. These veins typically develop in the legs, just under the skin. Varicose veins usually cause few symptoms. However, some indiv ...
, large tortuous veins usually found on legs
* Sublingual varices
*
Esophageal varices, commonly stemming from cirrhosis of the liver, also known as oesophageal varicose
*
Gastric varices
Gastric varices are dilated submucosal veins in the lining of the stomach, which can be a life-threatening cause of bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. They are most commonly found in patients with portal hypertension, or elevated pre ...
, commonly stemming from cirrhosis of the liver
*
Intestinal varices
Intestinal varices are dilated submucosal veins in the intestine.One treatment includes a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS or TIPSS) is an artificial channel within the liver that e ...
*
Scrotal varices
* Vulvar varices
* Pelvic varices
* Vesical varices, varicose veins associated with the urinary bladder
*
Rectal varices
Anorectal varices are the dilation of collateral submucosal vessels due to backflow in the veins of the rectum. Typically this occurs due to portal hypertension which shunts venous blood from the portal system through the portosystemic anasto ...
, which can be similar to external haemorrhoids
See also
*
Varicose ulcer
*
Varix (mollusc)
A varix () is an anatomical feature of the shell of certain sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs. Gastropods whose shells have varices are primarily families and species within the taxonomic groups Littorinimorpha and Neogastropoda.
The va ...
References
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Diseases of veins, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes