vascular spider
Noun: A small, red skin lesion characterized by a central, slightly raised red dot (a dilated arteriole) from which tiny, thin blood vessels (capillaries) radiate outward, resembling a spider's legs. It is a benign condition caused by the dilation of superficial capillaries near the skin's surface.
This term is a specific medical noun used to name a physical condition. It is typically used in clinical, dermatological, or patient education contexts. - It functions as a countable noun (e.g., a vascular spider, several vascular spiders). - It is often synonymous with the more common term spider angioma.
- The dermatologist identified the small red mark on the patient's cheek as a vascular spider.
- Vascular spiders are common during pregnancy due to increased estrogen levels.
- He was concerned about the vascular spider on his chest, but his doctor assured him it was harmless.
- Clinical Description: In a medical report, one might write: "Physical examination revealed a 2-mm vascular spider on the right malar region, which blanches completely with diascopy."
- Etiological Context: The term is used when discussing causes: "Liver cirrhosis can lead to the development of multiple vascular spiders due to impaired hormone metabolism."
- Spider Angioma (n): The most common synonym for vascular spider.
- Spider Nevus (n): Another clinical term for the same condition, often used interchangeably.
- Nevus Araneus (n): The Latin-derived medical term.
- Telangiectasia (n): A broader term for permanently dilated blood vessels near the skin's surface, which can include the pattern seen in a vascular spider.
- Spider angioma
- Spider nevus
- Nevus araneus
There are no direct antonyms for this specific medical condition. In a broader sense, one might contrast it with: - Normal skin: Skin without any visible vascular lesions. - Avascular area: A region of tissue lacking blood vessels.
There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs using this specific medical term. It is used literally.
- a dilation of superficial capillaries with a central red dot from which blood vessels radiate