black widow 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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black widow spider

Etymology: AS, blac + widewe; ME, spithre

Latrodectus mactans, a species of spider found in the United States, whose bite causes pain and sometimes death.

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black widow spider

see latrodectusmactans.

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black widow spider

Latrodectus mactans Toxicology A venomous spider indigenous to North America–most bites occur in California, more common in summer–which is 13 mm in length with a leg spread of 40 mm and  which bites with anterior fangs and may be fatal in the very young or old Clinical Abrupt sharp, cramping and/or burning pain, dizziness, weakness, spreading to the entire body, activation of autonomic nervous system–N&V, sweating, salivation, tremors, muscle cramping and spasms, twitching, paresthesias, eyelid edema, ptosis; severe cases are accompanied by SOB, tachypnea, respiratory grunting, tachycardia, systolic HTN, acute nephritis and hemoglobinuria in small children Management Supportive, mild sedation, bed rest; for muscle spasms, calcium gluconate, antihypertensives; antivenin-Lyovac may be indicated in some Pts