What is venous compression?

Venous compression refers to the narrowing or occlusion of a vein that occurs due to external pressure applied to it. This can occur in various scenarios, such as when a tumor or mass exerts pressure on the vein, when a patient is positioned in a way that compresses the veins, or when fluid accumulation, like in cases of edema or ascites, pushes against the venous walls. Understanding venous compression is crucial because it can lead to significant clinical implications, including venous insufficiency, deep vein thrombosis, and various other circulatory problems.

The phenomenon describes the mechanical obstruction of blood flow, which is vital for diagnosing and treating venous disorders. Other choices focus on different venous conditions that are not relevant to the definition of venous compression itself. For instance, abnormal dilation of a vein pertains more to varicose veins, not compression. The development of a new lumen suggests a collateral circulation process that occurs in response to chronic obstruction, while retrograde flow relates to issues with venous valves and not to external pressure on veins.