Circulation elasticum is a medical term used to describe the elastic fibers found in blood vessels. It is spelled with a "c" instead of a "s" because it comes from the Latin word "circulatio," which was pronounced with a hard "c" sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for circulation elasticum is /sərˈkjʊleɪʃən ɪˌlæstɪkəm/. The /s/ sound represents the Latin origin of "circulatio" and the /k/ sound in "elasticum" represents the hard "c" sound.
Circulation elasticum is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal elasticity of blood vessels, particularly the arteries. The term "elasticum" refers to the excessive stretching and distensibility of these vessels beyond normal physiological limits. This condition primarily affects the medium-sized arteries, especially those in the extremities.
Individuals with circulation elasticum experience weakened arterial walls that can expand and constrict irregularly, leading to a variety of symptoms. These may include easy bruising, spontaneous arterial rupture, aneurysm formation, and a predisposition to arterial dissections. Additionally, this condition can cause the arteries to become tortuous or twisted, leading to reduced blood flow and increased risk of complications such as thrombosis.
Circulation elasticum is typically considered a rare disorder and is often inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. It primarily affects connective tissues in the walls of blood vessels, leading to their abnormal structure and function. While the exact underlying genetic mutations responsible for circulation elasticum are not fully understood, defects in elastin or other proteins involved in the maintenance of arterial integrity have been implicated.
While there is currently no cure for circulation elasticum, management of this condition focuses on preventing or minimizing complications. This may involve regular monitoring of arterial health, lifestyle modifications to reduce cardiovascular risk factors, and interventions to address specific complications that may arise. Genetic counseling and family screening are also recommended to identify individuals at risk and provide appropriate support and management strategies.
The circulation of blood during intrauterine life, aeration and depuration occurring in the placenta instead of in the lungs as in postnatal life: see cut under fetal.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.