Arteriectasia

Arteriectasia (from Greek arteria-artery and ektasis-dilation), diffuse stationary or progressive dilation of the arterial system, observed in a number of organic and functional diseases of the arterial system (e.g., ectasia of the aorta in cases of prolonged elevation of blood pressure) or as a consequence of senile wear (senile ectasias of the ascending aorta). Arteriectasia is an important functional factor in compensatory dilation of collateral pathways when the main arterial trunk is occluded. Arteriectasia is sometimes observed as a consequence of diffuse and severe forms of arteriosclerosis (often throughout the entire length of the aorta); it is probable that arteriectasias precede the development of true aneurysms when there are not yet special changes in the elastic skeleton of the arterial wall. Arteriectasia is also the initial moment in the development of certain varieties of angiomas (see).