What is "lymphangiectasia"

n. (context medicine English) dilation of the lymphatic vessels

n. dilatation of a lymph vessel [syn: lymphangiectasis]

Lymphangiectasia is a pathologic dilation of lymph vessels. When it occurs in the intestines of dogs, and more rarely humans, it causes a disease known as "intestinal lymphangiectasia." This disease is characterized by lymphatic vessel dilation, chronic diarrhea and loss of proteins such as serum albumin and globulin. It is considered to be a chronic form of protein-losing enteropathy.

It is also known as "lymphangiectasis".