Helpful Terminology
A
abdominal aorta: the largest artery in the body, between the diaphragm and the umbilicus (belly button)
acute: a rapid onset, with pronounced symptoms, usually sharp or severe
Allen’s test: an exam used to test the continuity of the palmar arch (of the hand), usually supplied by the radial and ulnar arteries
amaurosis fugax: sudden, temporary loss of vision due to insufficient blood flow to the eye; often described as a shade or curtain lowered over the eye; usually unilateral
amputation: removal of all or part of a limb, either traumatic or surgical
anastomosis: a surgically created pairing of blood vessels
aneurysm: a ballooning or bulging of the wall of a vein or artery, usually due to a weakening in the wall or congenital abnormalities
angiogram: injection of radiopaque contrast material into an artery as x-ray picture are taken; also called arteriogram
angioplasty: repair of a blood vessel
anterior tibial artery: distal branch of the popliteal artery that supplies the anterior lower leg, ankle, and foot
anticoagulant: any substance which interferes with the blood coagulation process
aorta: the largest artery in the body, originating at the heart (left ventricle) and serving as the primary trunk from which the entire arterial system proceeds
aortic dissection: hemorrhagic or intramural hematoma separating the layers of the aortic wall
arterial insufficiency: inadequate blood supply within the arterial system most often caused by a narrowing in the vessel proximal to an inadequately supplied area
arterial ulceration: a sore present at the extremities, due to inadequate blood supply. Generally speaking, with the legs, arterial ulceration’s are located below the ankle, at the feet and toes.
arteritis: inflammation of the arteries
arterioles: the smallest arterial vessels that transport blood from the arteries to the capillaries
arteriosclerosis: term used to describe conditions causing the artery walls to thicken, harden, and lose elasticity
arteriovenous malformation: abnormal connection between an artery and a vein; if surgically created, it is referred to as a shunt or fistula
artery: vessel that transports oxygen-rich blood to the tissues
atheroma: fatty deposit in the inner most wall of the artery
atherosclerosis: a form of arteriosclerosis in which thick, atheromatous plaques are deposited in the intima of the artery
B
B-mode ultrasound: a transducer that detects Doppler pulses that reflect off tissues of varying densities, signals are displayed in the shades of gray or brightness
balloon dilatation: procedure often, although not always, performed as a transluminal angioplasty; reopening the lumen of a blood vessel by the insertion of a specially designed balloon catheter that can be inflated
blood pressure: pressure of blood exerted against the walls of the vessel; usually referred to as systolic and diastolic pressure
brachial artery: usually used to assess blood pressure; originates as a continuation of the axillary artery and branches into the radial and ulnar arteries
brachial plexus: a bundle of nerves in the neck that extend to the finger tips, often becoming entrapped in thoracic outlet syndrome
bruit: a sound or murmur caused by blood turbulence heard on auscultation of an artery
Buerger’s disease: thromboangitis obliterans; an inflammatory atherosclerotic disease usually found in young, tobacco-smoking men; characterized by thrombosis and inflammation in the arteries and veins
bypass graft: a means of restoring blood flow around a physiologic obstruction by using a conduit to detour around the site of obstruction
C
calf muscle pump: venous blood is moved from the legs to the heart by the leg muscles compressing the intramuscular sinuses and deep intramuscular veins during exercise
capillary: a minute blood vessel that forms a network between arterioles and venules and contains a semipermeable membrane wall that interchanges various substances between the blood and tissue fluid
carotid artery: artery along the neck which supplies the majority of the blood flow to the brain; further divides into internal and external branches
celiac artery: first short, thick vessel arising from the anterior aspect h of the abdominal aorta, usually dividing into the hepatic, splenic, and left gastric arteries
cephalic vein: superficial arm vein arising from the subclavian vein
cerebrovascular accident (CVA): stroke; insufficient blood flow to portion of the brain caused by thrombosis, hemorrhage, or embolism
cerebrovascular: related to the blood vessels and circulation in the brain
cholesterol: a steroid alcohol present in animal fats and oils, and various body organs and tissues; most cholesterol is produced by the liver, some is obtained from food; causes atheroma in the arteries
chronic: occurring over a long period of time
circulation: movement of blood in a regular course through the heart and blood vessels
claudication: pain of the lower extremities due to insufficient arterial flow; reproducible leg pain which occurs during walking and is relieved by cessation of walking.
coagulation: process of blood clot formation; sequential process in three stages where multiple coagulation factors of the blood interact, resulting in an insoluble fibrin clot
collateral circulation: pre-existing channels in the arterial system that dilate and lengthen to provide adequate flow to an area when a major vessel becomes blocked
compartment syndrome: severe muscle edema within the osteofacial compartments in the arm or leg, causing increased pressure on the blood vessels and nerves; treatment includes a fasciotomy
compression pneumatic device: a device that applies sequential or intermittent pressure on a continuous basis to an immobilized patient’s extremities to assist venous return to the heart from the extremity and help prevent thrombosis
compression stockings: elasticized hosiery that compresses the extremity, facilitating venous blood return to the heart and the prevention of thrombosis; one type of hosiery compresses with the same pressure throughout, graduated hosiery compresses with greater pressure at the ankle and decreases as it progresses toward the knee
computed tomography (CT scan): invasive diagnostic test in which photographs of axial slices of body are made
crescendo TIA (see TIAs): TIAs that become more frequent in occurrence
cyanosis: bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to blood carrying reduced hemoglobin to the tissues
D
deep venous thrombosis (DVT): the presence of a blood clot in the deep venous system of the arms or legs
dependent rubor: abnormal deep red color caused by sudden filling and subsequent pooling of the small vessels; occurs with extremity in a dependent position
diabetes mellitus: a metabolic disorder in which the ability to oxidize carbohydrates is lost with a disturbance in normal insulin mechanism; long-term diabetic changes include arteriosclerosis
digital subtraction angiography (DSA): a computerized x-ray in which an intravenous injection of contrast material is used to visualize major arteries
dilatation: action of stretching an orifice or tubular structure
dissecting aneurysm: splitting or rupture of the intima that permits blood to escape between the layers of the vessel wall
distal: farthest from the point of reference, usually the heart
doppler: a diagnostic instrument that emits an ultrasonic sound wave through the tissue toward a blood vessel; the sound waves strike the moving blood cells and are transmitted back. This transmitted frequency is amplified and presented as an audible graphic or spectral display, and changes in proportion to the velocity of blood. Sound waves diminish if arterial stenosis is present
dorsalis pedis: the main artery in the foot; the termination of the anterior tibial artery
duplex scanning: combination of B-mode ultrasound with pulsed Doppler and spectral analysis of the duplex signal so that blood flow can be visualized within a vessel
E
edema: abnormal accumulation of fluid within interstitial spaces
embolus: a blood clot or other foreign material that travels in the blood stream and often obstructs a vessel; may consist of a solid, gas, or a liquid
endarterectomy: the surgical removal of atheromatous material from an arterial segment
external iliac artery: artery that originates at the common iliac and supplies the abdominal wall, external genitalia and lower limbs
F
false aneurysm (pseudoaneurysm): pulsating hematoma that occurs when blood is released through all layers of the artery wall
fasciotomy: incision done to relieve intrinsic pressure of muscle edema
femoral artery: main artery of the thigh arising from the external iliac and terminating in the popliteal area
G
gangrene: necrosis or tissue death due to insufficient blood supply and bacterial invasion. There are many types of gangrene. No healing will take place unless the gangrenous area is removed (debrided) or amputated
graft: replacing a defect in a blood vessel with a suitable material. Also, the material used for the replacement
greater saphenous vein: vein extending from the foot to inguinal ligament (groin)
H
hemangioma: a benign tumor composed of newly formed blood vessels
hemiparesis: paralysis or loss of muscular tone affecting one side of the body
hemiplegia: paralysis of one side of the body
hemoglobin: the oxygen-carrying portion of the blood
hemorrhage: the external or internal loss of a large amount of blood in a short time
heparin: pharmacologic agent used for anticoagulation, extracted from cattle or hog mucosa or bovine lung tissue; prohibits the extension of thrombus
high density lipoprotein (HDL): a binding of cholesterol to protein that encourages the removal of excess cholesterol from the cells and eliminates it from the body. Also known in lay mans language as “the good cholesterol“
Homan’s sign: pain occurring in the calf which occurs with dorsiflexion of the foot
hypercholesterolemia: excessive cholesterol in the blood
hyperemia: excessive blood in a body part
hypertension: abnormally increased blood pressure
hypotension: low blood pressure
hypoxia: a decreased amount of oxygen available in the tissue
I
iliac artery: artery originating from the abdominal aorta that supplies the pelvis, abdominal wall, and lower limbs; has internal and external branches bilaterally
impotence: inability of the male to attain or maintain an erection, may be vascular in origin, such as paralysis of the motor nerves in the perineal region
incision: a cut or a wound produced by a sharp instrument
incompetence: backward flowing of blood due to imperfect closing of valves
infarction: an area of ischemic necrosis resulting from inadequate arterial supply
inferior vena cava: large vein that returns blood to the heart from the lower part of the body, located along the abdominal region.
innominate artery: artery originating at aortic arch that branches into right carotid and subclavian arteries
invasive procedure: any procedure in which tissues undergo instrumental penetration
ischemia: reduction of blood supply from partial or complete obstruction of a blood vessel
J
jugular vein: major vein of the neck, subdivided into the external, internal, and anterior jugular veins
K
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L
laser: a device which transforms light of various frequencies into an extremely intense, small, and nondivergent beam of radiation. Used as a tool in surgical procedures, in diagnosis, and physiologic studies. Capable of mobilizing immense heat and power when focused at close range
Leriche syndrome: arterial stenosis or occlusion occurring in the aortoiliac bifurcation resulting in ischemic symptoms such as claudication and impotence
lesser saphenous vein: one of two major superficial veins in the leg that originates at the foot and drains into the popliteal vein at knee level
lipid: a mixture of fatty, oily, and waxy compounds that are insoluble in water. Lipids which are easily stored in the body serve as a course of fuel and have other biological functions
low density lipoprotein (LDL): the binding of protein to cholesterol that is deposited in the cells of blood vessels and muscles. Also known in lay mans’ language as “the bad cholesterol”
lumen: internal channel of a blood vessel
lymph: transparent, slightly yellow liquid found in lymphatic vessels and derived from tissue fluids. Lymph is collected from all parts of the body and returned to the blood via the lymphatic system
lymphangitis: an acute inflammation of the lymphatic channels, characterized by fever, chills, local pain, or tenderness at lymph nodes
lymphedema: swelling of subcutaneous tissue due to excessive lymph fluid, secondary to obstruction of lymph vessels or disorders of the lymph nodes; often surgically- induced
M
metallic stent: an intra-arterial device which mechanically stabilizes and supports the vessel wall to prevent closure
mesenteric angina: abdominal pain associated with intestinal ischemia; frequently occurs after eating
mesenteric artery: artery originating from abdominal aorta subdivided into a superior mesenteric (supplies the small intestine and proximal colon) and inferior mesenteric (supplies the descending colon and rectum)
mesenteric insufficiency: chronic visceral ischemia
musculovenous pump: the driving force imposed by contracting muscles of the calf which facilitates venous return
mycotic aneurysm: weakness of a vessel wall caused by a bacterial or fungal infection
myocardial infarction: necrosis of heart muscle caused by stenosis of one or more of the coronary arteries
N
necrosis: death of a cell resulting from disease or injury
neurogenic: caused by a dysfunction of the nervous system
neuropathy: any disease of the nervous system which results in symptoms such as pain, decreased or unusual sensations
neurotrophic ulcer: a painless, spontaneous ulcer which occurs on the sole of the foot, at pressure points
noninvasive: procedure that has no penetration of tissues by instrumentation
O
occlusion: the state of being closed; an arterial occlusion may result in ischemia of the affected part
ophthalmic artery: the first branch of the internal carotid artery which has three terminal branches: frontal, supraorbital, nasal arteries
P
pallor: absence of skin coloring; pale coloration often seen in the feet and legs of patients with arterial insufficiency when the legs are elevated
palmar arches: the junction formed in the palm by the ulnar and radial arteries
palpation: use of fingers or hand to examine an area of the body
paralysis: loss of voluntary motion of a body part
paresis: partial or incomplete paralysis
paresthesias: abnormal sensation due to a disorder of the nervous system; examples include numbness, prickling sensation
patency: the condition of being wide open; blood flowing through an open vessel
pedal pulse: pulses on the foot (see pulse)
percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA): balloon dilatation; balloon catheter is inserted via direct puncture through the skin into the blood vessel, inflation of the balloon compresses the plaque, expanding the vessel walls
perforating veins: small venous channels connecting the superficial and deep venous systems
peripheral vascular disease: a variety of diseases and syndromes, generally involving the peripheral arterial system
peroneal artery: artery originating from the tibioperoneal trunk and supplying the ankle and deep calf muscles
phlebitis: inflammation of the vein, virtually always associated with thrombosis of the vein
plasma: the fluid portion of the blood consisting of many proteins in a crystalloid solution
platelet: the smallest of the elements of the blood; functions are related to blood coagulation; tends to adhere to uneven surfaces
plaque (atheromatous): a buildup of fatty material in the lining of blood vessels seen in atherosclerosis
popliteal artery: major artery behind the knee, originating from the superficial femoral artery and ending in the trifurcation vessels
posterior tibial artery: artery located in lower leg, originating at the tibioperoneal trunk and providing flow to the foot, leg, and heel
post phlebitic syndrome: chronic venous insufficiency caused by deep venous thrombosis in the leg
profunda femoris artery: large branch of the common femoral artery that supplies the thigh, hip, gluteal muscles, and femur
profundoplasty: surgical procedure to open or patch the profunda femoris artery in order to increase blood flow to the leg
prophylaxis: any measure taken to prevent the development of a disease
pseudo claudication: pain in thigh or buttocks or lower leg, similar to claudication type pain, however, not caused by vascular insufficiency (usually neurogenic)
pulmonary embolus (PE): vascular occlusion in the pulmonary arterial circulation, most often caused by a blood clot dislodged from a vein in the lower body which travels to the lung
pulsatile: characterized by a rhythmic beating
pulse: the regular, recurrent wave of distention palpable over an artery caused by ejection of blood with each cardiac contraction
Q
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R
radial artery: a major artery in the forearm, originating at the brachial artery near the elbow joint and terminating in the palmar arch in the hand
Raynaud’s disease: intermittent vasospasm of peripheral arteries resulting in pallor, cyanosis, and rubor, often induced by cold, with otherwise normal arterial inflow
Raynaud’s phenomenon: intermittent vasospasm of peripheral arteries resulting in pallor, cyanosis, or rubor in the digits, often induced by cold; frequently secondary to chronic arterial occlusive disease, collagen vascular disease, or other systemic disease
reactive hyperemia: increased blood flow resulting from dilated blood vessels as a response to a temporary occlusion
recanalization: restoration (usually partial restoration) of the lumen of a blood vessel following occlusion
renovascular hypertension: persistently high blood pressure due to disease of the renal arteries
rest pain: pain occurring in the leg at rest, usually a sign of chronic severe ischemia from arterial occlusive disease; a progression of claudication
reversible ischemic neurologic deficit (RIND): neurologic deficit which lasts greater than 24 hours, but not over 72 hours
rubor: redness, due to dilated cutaneous blood vessels, frequently associated with chronic ischemia
S
sclerosis: hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of fibrous connective tissue, lipids, and calcium salts
shunt: a natural or surgically created connection that channels flow from one pathway to another, especially between blood vessels
stasis: a stoppage or stagnation of blood or other body fluid
stenosis: constriction, narrowing of the lumen of a blood vessel
stroke (CVA): sudden onset of neurologic dysfunction caused by interference of blood flow to the brain with symptoms persisting for more than 24 hours
subclavian artery: artery below the clavicle originating at the aortic arch on the left and from the brachiocephalic trunk on the right, with branches that supply the neck, thoracic wall, spinal cord, brain, meninges, and upper extremities
superficial femoral artery (SFA): major artery of the thigh, a continuation of the common femoral artery
superior vena cava: the venous trunk that drains blood from the head, neck, upper extremities, and thorax into the right atrium of the heart
sympathectomy: surgical or chemical interruption of a portion of the sympathetic chain to induce dilatation of arteries
syncope: temporary suspension of consciousness; fainting
T
thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS): a condition characterized by compression of the brachial plexus, subclavian artery or subclavian vein as they pass between the first rib and clavicle
thrombophlebitis: the development of venous thrombi in association with inflammatory changes in the vein wall
thrombosis: formation of thrombus in a blood vessel lumen
thrombus: aggregation of blood factors and other cellular elements causing vascular obstruction
transcutaneous: percutaneous, performed through the skin
transient ischemic attack (TIA): a sudden episode of focal neurologic dysfunction lasting under 24 hours with complete recovery, usually associated with atherosclerotic disease in the internal carotid artery which lies along the neck region
transluminal angioplasty: see percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
trophic skin changes: alterations in the skin due to compromised nutritional status, e.g., hair loss, thickened hard nails, shiny skin
U
ulcer: a nonhealing wound or lesion on skin surface caused by arterial or venous disease
As a quick reference, arterial ulcers are located below the ankle (feet/toes) with venous ulcers located above the ankle
ulnar artery: a major artery in the forearm originating at the brachial artery and ending at the palmar arch
V
valvular incompetence (insufficiency): condition occurring when a venous valve fails to close completely, allowing blood to flow in an abnormal direction (backwards)
vascular: pertaining to blood vessels
vasculogenic: having its origin in the vascular system
vasoconstriction: narrowing of the lumen of a blood vessel resulting from contractions of the vessel walls
vasodilatation: enlargement in the lumen of the blood vessel resulting from relaxation of the vessel walls
vein: a blood vessel that transports unoxygenated blood from the tissues to the heart
venography: visualization of the venous anatomy following the injection of a contrast agent
venous ulceration: sore located above the ankle; usually located at the inner or medial side of the leg; caused by incompetent valves which increase venous pressure
venule: a small vein connecting the capillaries to veins
vertebral artery: first branch of the subclavian artery, provides major blood flow to the posterior brain
W, X, Y, Z
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