What is the medical term for dilated and twisted veins?

Varicose veins are characterized by their swollen, twisted appearance, and they occur when the valves within the veins become weakened or damaged, resulting in poor blood flow. This condition commonly affects veins in the legs and can lead to discomfort, pain, and various other symptoms. The dilated veins appear blue or dark purple due to the pooling of blood, which the compromised valves fail to regulate effectively.

In contrast, spider veins are smaller, superficial veins that might appear in a similar color but do not have the same level of protrusion and are not as large as varicose veins. Hemorrhoids refer specifically to swollen veins in the rectal area and are not classified with the same criteria as varicose veins. Capillary malformations denote deformities in small blood vessels and generally do not exhibit the same twisted or dilated form as varicose veins. Understanding the distinction in these terms is important for recognizing potential vascular issues and their impact on health.