A varix (: varices) is an abnormally dilated blood vessel with a tortuous course. Varices usually occur in the

venous system Veins () are blood vessels in the circulatory system of 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 those of the pulmonary and fetal c ...

, but may also occur in

arterial An artery () is a blood vessel in humans and most other animals that takes oxygenated blood away from the heart in the systemic circulation to one or more parts of the body. Exceptions that carry deoxygenated blood are the pulmonary arteries in ...

lymphatic Lymph () 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 be recirculated. At the origi ...

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. Although usually just a cosmetic ailment, in some cases they cause fatigue, pain, itch, itching, and cramp, nighttime leg cram ...

, large tortuous veins usually found on legs * Sublingual varices *

Esophageal varices Esophageal varices are extremely Vasodilation, dilated sub-mucosal veins in the lower third of the esophagus. They are most often a consequence of portal hypertension, commonly due to cirrhosis. People with esophageal varices have a strong tendenc ...

, 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 p ...

, commonly stemming from cirrhosis of the liver * Intestinal varices * Scrotal varices * Vulvar varices * Pelvic varices * Vesical varices, varicose veins associated with the urinary bladder *

Rectal varices Anorectal varices are collateral submucosal blood vessels dilated by 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 anastomosis p ...

, which can be similar to external haemorrhoids

References

{{circulatory-disease-stub Diseases of veins, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes

See also

References