Vessels located subcutaneously with a diameter of 3 mm or greater are referred to as what?

The term used for vessels located subcutaneously with a diameter of 3 mm or greater is varicose veins. Varicose veins are characterized by their enlarged and twisted appearance, commonly occurring in the legs and feet due to valve malfunction, leading to improper blood flow. These veins can become visible through the skin and are typically associated with various symptoms such as swelling, pain, and a feeling of heaviness in the affected limb.

In contrast, spider veins refer to smaller, fine veins that appear close to the surface of the skin and usually have a diameter less than 1 mm. Capillary veins, which are extremely small, play a role in microcirculation but do not meet the 3 mm diameter criterion. Reticular veins are slightly larger than spider veins but are still generally less than 3 mm in diameter and may not have the same visibility or symptomatology as varicose veins. Therefore, the 3 mm or greater diameter is a defining characteristic that distinguishes varicose veins from other types of veins mentioned.