Mrs. Gray, a 50-year-old mother of seven children, is complaining of dull, aching pains in her legs. She reports that they have been getting progressively worse since the birth of her last child. During her physical examination, numerous varicosities are seen in both legs. How are varicosities recognized? What veins are most likely involved? What pathologic changes have occurred in these veins,
and what is the most likely cause in this patient's case?
What will be an ideal response?
Varicosities are recognized by the enlargement of the veins. Superficial veins are most likely involved because they have little support from surrounding tissues. The veins have become tortuous and dilated because of incompetent valves that allow the blood to pool, stretching the vein walls. The likely cause in this patient's case is her pregnancies, because the enlarged uterus exerts downward pressure on groin vessels, restricting return blood flow to the heart.
You might also like to view...
The representational hemisphere of the cerebrum would control which of the following functions?
A. Taking this test B. Diagnosing a patient's disease C. Painting a picture D. Giving a speech E. Balancing your checkbook
The specialized cells found in the capsule epithelium are called ________. These cells have long cytoplasmic extensions called ________.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
The skeletal muscle pump changes venous return by ____________________ (increasing/decreasing) it
Fill in the blank(s) with correct word
Which of the following is probably not a part of the etiology of polycystic kidney disease?
a. Cysts on the kidneys. b. Inherited. c. Mutation on PKD1 gene. d. 5% have end-stage renal disease.