spider angioma

spi·der an·gi·o·ma

a telangiectatic arteriole in the skin with radiating capillary branches simulating the legs of a spider; characteristic, but not pathognomonic, of parenchymatous liver disease; also seen in pregnancy, often disappearing after delivery, and at times in healthy people.

Synonym(s): arterial spider, nevus araneus, spider hemangioma, spider nevus, spider telangiectasia, vascular spider

spider angioma

Etymology: ME, spithre + Gk, angeion, vessel, oma, tumor

a form of telangiectasis characterized by a central elevated red dot the size of a pinhead from which small blood vessels radiate. Spider angiomas are often associated with elevated estrogen levels, such as occur in pregnancy or when the liver is diseased and unable to detoxify estrogens. Also called spider nevus. See also telangiectasia.

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

spider angioma

Dermatology A superficial spider-like cluster of capillaries composed of a central 'feeder' vessel and multiple minute tortuous and dilated radiating vessels with a peripheral erythema; while classically due to ↑ circulating estrogens–eg, in pregnancy and alcoholic cirrhosis, SAs may occur in chronic hepatic congestion 2º to constrictive pericarditis and may be a normal birthmark in children. See White spider.

spi·der an·gi·o·ma

(spī'dĕr an'jē-ō'mă)

A telangiectatic arteriole in the skin with radiating capillary branches simulating the legs of a spider; characteristic, but not pathognomonic, of parenchymatous liver disease; also seen in pregnancy, often disappearing after delivery, and at times in otherwise healthy people.
Synonym(s): arterial spider, spider nevus, spider telangiectasia, spider (2) , vascular spider.