Small dark red spots on the skin, formed by swollen capillaries.
A localized collection of distended blood capillary vessels. It is recognized as a red spot, sometimes spidery in appearance, that blanches on pressure. Telangiectases may be found in the skin or the lining of the mouth, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urinary passages. The condition in which multiple telangiectases occur is termed telangiectasia. It may be seen as an inherited condition associated with a bleeding tendency (hemorrhagic telangiectasia). Accessible bleeding telangiectases (e.g. in the nose) may be obliterated by cauterization.
Abnormal dilatation of arterioles and venules. In the skin it is seen in spider naevus, and rosacea particularly.