Telangiectasia
Pronunciation: tel-an-jee-ek-TAY-zhuh
Permanently dilated small blood vessels (capillaries, venules, or arterioles) visible at the skin surface, presenting as fine red or purple linear or branching marks.
Full Definition
Telangiectasia (plural: telangiectases) refers to the visible permanent dilatation of superficial small vessels, appearing as red, pink, or violaceous linear, punctate, or branching marks on the skin or mucous membranes. They are a feature of conditions including rosacea, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler–Weber–Rendu syndrome), and chronic topical corticosteroid use. In radiation oncology reports, 'telangiectasia' specifically denotes a late cutaneous radiation reaction. Editors must use the correct irregular plural 'telangiectases,' not 'telangiectasias' (though this latter form appears in some journals) and should standardise to house style.
Usage
Usage note: Preferred plural is 'telangiectases'; 'telangiectasias' appears in some US journals. Apply house style consistently. Do not confuse with petechiae (non-blanching haemorrhagic lesions) or spider naevus (which has a central arteriole with radiating vessels).
In Context
- "Scattered telangiectases were noted on the malar region bilaterally, consistent with rosacea subtype 1." — Dermatology clinic note
- "The copy-editor queried whether 'telangiectasias' should be standardised to 'telangiectases' in line with the journal's British English house style." — Copy-editing query sheet