Medical condition consisting of the dilation or distension of a tube, duct, or hollow organ
Ectasia (), also called ectasis (), is dilation or distention of a tubular structure,[1] either normal or pathophysiologic but usually the latter (except in atelectasis, where absence of ectasis is the problem).
Specific conditions
- Vascular ectasias
- Most broadly, any abnormal dilatation of a blood vessel, including aneurysms
- Annuloaortic ectasia, dilation of the aorta. It can be associated with Marfan syndrome.[3]
- Dolichoectasias, weakening of arteries, usually caused by high blood pressure.
- Intracranial dolichoectasias, dilation of arteries inside the head.
- Gastric antral vascular ectasia, dilation of small blood vessels in the last part of the stomach.
- Telangiectasias are small dilated blood vessels found anywhere on the body, but commonly seen on the face around the nose, cheeks, and chin.
- Venous ectasia, dilation of veins or venules, such as:
See also
References
- ^ "Ectasia." The Free Dictionary. Farlex, Inc., 2009. Web. 6 Nov. 2009. <http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/ectasia>
- ^ "Mammary Duct Ectasia. MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2009. Web. 6 Nov. 2009.
- ^ "Annuloaortic Ectasia". Stanford Hospital & Clinics - Stanford Medicine. Stanford Hospital & Clinics. 2009. Web. 6 Nov. 2009.