Arterial Spider

spider /spi·der/ (spi´der)

1. an arthropod of the class Arachnida.

2. vascular s.

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arterial spider  vascular s.

black widow spider  a spider, Latrodectus mactans, whose bite causes severe poisoning.

vascular spider  a telangiectasis caused by dilatation and ramification of superficial cutaneous arteries, appearing as a bright red central area with branching rays somewhat resembling a spider; commonly associated with pregnancy and liver disease.

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arterial spider

n.

A telangiectatic arteriole in the skin having capillary branches that radiate from a central area in a manner similar to legs from the body of a spider. Also called spider nevus, spider telangiectasia, vascular spider.

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Spider Angioma

A superficial spider-like cluster of capillaries composed of a central ‘feeder’ vessel and multiple minute tortuous and dilated radiating vessels with a peripheral erythaema; when the involved vessel is large, it may pulsate and blanch on pressure; while classically due to increased circulating oestrogens as seen in pregnancy and alcoholic cirrhosis, SAs may occur in chronic hepatic congestion 2º to constrictive pericarditis and may be a normal birthmark in children