variceux

Variceux is a French medical adjective used to describe conditions, structures, or appearances related to varices, i.e., dilated and tortuous veins. It is employed to indicate venous changes that are varicose in nature and can modify nouns such as veines variceuses or lésions variceuses. In practice, the term appears in descriptions of venous disease and of portal-systemic collaterals, particularly esophageal varices, gastric varices, or rectal varices.

Pathophysiology and clinical relevance: Varices form when venous pressure is elevated, leading to dilation of vessels and fragile walls. In conditions like cirrhosis and portal hypertension, gastroesophageal varices are a common concern due to the risk of bleeding. The descriptor variceux helps specify the variceal character of a lesion or vessel in radiology, endoscopy, and pathology reports.

Etymology and terminology: Variceux derives from varice (varix), from Latin varix, varicis, meaning a twisted or dilated vein. Related terms include varice, variceal, and the broader concept of varicosity or varicose veins.

See also: varice, portal hypertension, esophageal varices, gastric varices, hemorrhoidal varices.