Vein

Veins ( vena Latin singular, in technical language compositions phlebo - from the Greek genitive singular φλέβας, Phlebas, to ancient Greek φλέψ, Phleps, " vein" even ) or German blood veins are blood vessels that carry blood to the heart. In an adult human, they carry every day back about 7,000 liters of blood to the heart. Especially the leg veins have to do hard work, because the blood must be transported against gravity to the heart.

The veins of the systemic circulation carry oxygen-poor blood, those of the pulmonary circulation of oxygen-rich blood. Oxygen-poor blood is darker than oxygenated. The blood pressure in the veins is much lower than in arteries (arteries), they belong to the capillaries and venules to the low pressure system of blood circulation. Most body veins accompanying veins, ie they run parallel to its arterial counterpart. As a natural pump for blood flow in the veins serving the leg and foot muscles. With each contraction, the muscles squeeze the blood against gravity from the bottom towards the heart. Dozens of venous valves provide as check valves ensure that the blood does not falls back down in the relaxation of the muscle. The use of the foot and leg muscles is therefore for vein health is crucial. Climbing stairs, walking, hiking, cycling or swimming keep the muscle pump active and thus improve blood circulation.

The bluish appearance of the skin veins is not related solely to the oxygen content of the venous blood. Cutaneous veins appear especially so blue, because the long-wavelength red light, a higher penetration depth into the tissue than the blue and is thus absorbed by the dark blood of the veins. The short-wave blue light, however, is reflected; thus the veins appear in a tissue depth of 0.5 to 2 millimeters blue ( see: Royal Blood ).

The blood vessels that carry away the blood from the heart are called arteries.

Construction

Veins show how all the blood vessels a typical three stratification of the wall in the tunica interna ( intima ), tunica media (Media ) and tunica externa (tunica adventitia ).

In contrast to arteries, many of the small and medium-sized veins are equipped with venous valves, so that the blood does not flow back. No venous valves can be found in the veins of the head, the guts of the spinal canal and close to the heart of the large veins. In the arteries of the pumping pressure of the heart is sufficient to prevent backflow.

Diseases

Venous diseases are the subject of Phlebology.

Spider Veins

Spider veins are enlarged veins in the top layer of skin, the temperamentally or occur as a result of chronic venous congestion. They are bright red when they are very fine and blue- red when they get bigger. Since it is extended and tortuous veins, spider veins meet two of three criteria of varicose veins ( enlarged, tortuous, without valve function ).

Assessment -related spider veins

Spider veins can be the only change in the veins subject to it and then have mainly cosmetic character. They may occur in childhood and, when the persons concerned are almost always in the course of life. There are often simultaneously varicose veins, but this is not mandatory. Also the co-existence of chronic venous insufficiency is common, but not mandatory. Special forms of spider veins are eg the broken capillaries on the nose and on the face ( rosacea ) and extended veins in the skin on the chest and upper body in chronic liver congestion.

Stauungsbedingte spider veins

Chronic congestion in the veins almost always leads over time to spider veins, like a semi-circle below the medial malleolus are forming. This so-called Corona Phlebectatica paraplantaris therefore has a completely different status than spider veins other sites located in the leg. This is also true for larger spider veins in the area of the medial malleolus ( see figure). If the underlying congestion is not treated, increases the visible change. In this sense, spider veins are to be seen on the inside of the ankle as a " precursor " of the open leg (ulcus cruris).

Varices ( varicose veins )

Varicose veins are dilated, tortuous veins, the valve flaps are no longer functional. Superficial veins are easily visible or palpable and meander in subcutaneous adipose tissue ( mostly ) on the leg along. Varices of the deep venous system can be seen only on ultrasound or venography in the. The enlargement of the veins leads to an incomplete closure of the venous valves, one speaks of the valve insufficiency. The normal heart northward directed transport of blood in the veins requires the interaction of muscles and functioning flaps. Since this is no longer possible to varicose veins, where it holds the hydrostatic pressure exerted on the vessels in the lower part of the body, depending on the situation continuously. The " transmural " pressure, ie the difference between the pressure in the venous system and in the surrounding tissue, leading to an increase of seeping water along with dissolved therein ingredients through the vein wall and in the tissues, usually of the leg, accumulates ( edema).

Phlebitis ( inflammation of a vein )

Under a phlebitis refers to an inflammation of the veins. The vessel and hurt the environment are red, swollen and warm. When superficial veins, the diagnosis is easy to make. In deep vein inflammation, the diagnosis is to detect even with the ultrasound hardly. It is still unclear what is the cause of phlebitis, whether it is invading germs, an autoimmune inflammation or rather a mechanical inflammatory irritation.

Thrombosis

Thrombosis refers to the blockage of a vein by a blood clot that forms in the veins and settles on the venous walls. Dangerous for these clots when they detach and are swept into the lungs. There they perform a closure of a pulmonary artery to a pulmonary embolism. The threat is understandable when one considers that such a clot can be up to 5 g in weight and, during the passage of the heart, shatters into many individual fragments, then like a shotgun reach the lungs.

Venous edema

A water collection by venous diseases, venous edema so-called, is found usually in the legs. Edema is a local or widespread abnormal accumulation of watery ( serous ) fluid in the tissue columns. Typically, it is more likely not getting up yet, but this is well over the course of the day and more pronounced noticeable, especially if the person concerned is a lot or sit for long periods.

Leg ulcers ( open leg )

After years of venous obstruction there may be an " open leg " or " leg ulcer ," the venous leg ulcers are ulcers as a special form of an ulcer. These ulcers are usually above the medial malleolus. They are difficult to treat and slow to heal from.