Which condition involves veins becoming dilated with valves failing, causing blood to pool in the legs?

• A. Aneurysm
• B. Varicose Veins
• C. Thrombosis
• D. Phlebitis

Answer: (B)

Veins have valves that prevent backflow of blood as it returns toward the heart. When these valves become incompetent, they don’t close properly, allowing blood to flow backward and pool in the leg veins. This increased pressure causes the veins to enlarge and become twisted, which is what we recognize as varicose veins. Aneurysm refers to a bulging of an artery wall, not a vein, and isn’t caused by valve failure. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot within a vessel and can block flow rather than cause pooling from valve incompetence. Phlebitis is inflammation of a vein, which may accompany other issues but doesn’t describe valves failing with blood pooling in the legs.