Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dilation of superficial capillaries with a central red dot from which blood vessels radiate: A spider angioma is a specific type of skin lesion characterized by a central, small, red arteriole (the "body" of the spider) with tiny, radiating blood vessels (the "legs").

Usage

• The term is used in medical and dermatological contexts to describe a benign vascular lesion.
• It is often used to identify a physical finding during a clinical examination.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The dermatologist identified the small red mark on the patient's chest as a spider angioma.
  • Spider angiomas are common and usually harmless, but their sudden appearance can sometimes indicate liver disease.

Advanced Usage

• "Spider angioma" can be part of a differential diagnosis, where a doctor considers it among other possible causes of a skin lesion.
  • The presence of multiple spider angiomas led the physician to investigate for underlying hepatic issues.

Variants and Related Words

• Spider nevus (n): Another common term for the same condition.
• Nevus araneus (n): The Latin-derived medical term.
• Vascular lesion (n): A broader category of skin abnormalities that includes spider angiomas.

Synonyms

• Spider telangiectasia: A more technical synonym emphasizing the dilation of the capillaries.
• Arterial spider: A less common synonym highlighting the central arteriole.

Related Phrases

• "Star-shaped" appearance: A descriptive phrase often used to explain how a spider angioma looks.
  • The lesion had the characteristic star-shaped appearance of a spider angioma.

Noun

1. a dilation of superficial capillaries with a central red dot from which blood vessels radiate