VARICOSE VEIN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does varicose vein mean? 

• VARICOSE VEIN (noun)
  The noun VARICOSE VEIN has 1 sense:

1. a vein that is permanently dilated; most common in the legs

  Familiarity information: VARICOSE VEIN used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• VARICOSE VEIN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A vein that is permanently dilated; most common in the legs

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("varicose vein" is a kind of...):

vein; vena; venous blood vessel (a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart)

varicosity (varix or varicose condition in which a vein is swollen and tortuous)

 Context examples 

Problems in your veins in your legs can lead to varicose veins or deep vein thrombosis.

(Leg Injuries and Disorders, NIH)

A rare syndrome characterized by the presence of port-wine stain (a vascular malformation), varicose veins, and hypertrophy of the soft tissues and bones in an extremity.

(Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

For example, long periods of ischemia result in endothelial changes, such as vascular leakage, resulting in varicose veins.

(Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)