CVI occurs when leg vein valves malfunction, causing blood to pool in veins. Affects deep, superficial, and perforating veins in legs. About 150,000 people diagnosed yearly, affecting 1 in 20 adults
Plaque forms on artery walls from calcium, fat, cholesterol, and cellular waste. Atherosclerosis causes arteries to narrow and harden. Plaque often starts during childhood and develops in middle age
Internal carotid artery branches from common carotid artery in cervical spine. Runs along neck sides, accessing skull through foramen lacerum. Divided into seven segments including cervical, petrous, and communicating segments
Femoral artery carries blood to lower body, starting near groin. Continuation of external iliac artery through inguinal ligament. Each leg has one femoral artery, running in straight line. Average diameter is 7-8 millimeters, length is 4 centimeters
Abdominal aorta starts at heart's left ventricle and runs down abdomen. Begins below diaphragm at T12 level and ends above pelvis. Narrows to about 2 centimeters width in abdomen. Contains three layers: intima, media, and adventitia
Endothelium is a single layer of thin endothelial cells lining blood vessels. Total surface area ranges between 4000 and 7000 square meters