What does varices mean?
Varices is the plural form of varix and denotes abnormally dilated veins. Such veins are most familiar as the enlarged, twisted vessels associated with varicose veins in the legs, although they can also develop in the esophagus, stomach, and other parts of the body. Esophageal varices are especially important medically because, when they rupture, they can cause severe internal bleeding. The term is therefore used in specialist medicine, particularly in discussions of liver disease, portal hypertension, endoscopy, and the control of variceal bleeding. Although the word may sound literary or historical, it remains standard clinical vocabulary. Its Latin origin also connects it with related English words such as varicose, varicosity, and varicectomy. Varices is best understood as the plural counterpart of varix rather than as a separate condition: a varix is one dilated vein, while varices are multiple such veins.
nounVarices are abnormally dilated veins, most commonly in the legs but also occurring in locations such as the esophagus and stomach. The word is the standard plural of varix.
- Abnormally dilated veins, especially those associated with varicose veins in the legs or with portal hypertension in the esophagus and stomach.
"The scan revealed esophageal varices that required careful monitoring."
"She was admitted to hospital after esophageal varices began to bleed."
"Compression stockings can improve discomfort caused by varices in the lower legs."
The standard plural of varix, especially in medical usage.
"Treatment was needed because the varices had begun to bleed."
One swollen vein is a varix; a cluster of them is varices—and in the esophagus, those clusters can become a serious medical emergency.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of varices
The word comes from Latin varices, the plural of varix, meaning a dilated vein. Latin varix was already established medical vocabulary, and the plural form was borrowed into English through learned medical usage. Related English forms such as varicose, varicosity, and varicectomy were developed from the same Latin base.
Related word forms
How varices is actually used
This is chiefly a formal medical term. It is normally used in the plural, with varix serving as the singular; the adjective variceal describes bleeding, treatment, or other conditions involving varices.
Easily confused with varices
A varix is one abnormally dilated vein, whereas varices denotes a group or plural of them.
Varicosity refers to the condition of being varicose, while varices are the individual dilated veins.