Pathophysiology of Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a condition wherein a blood clot or thrombus is formed in a deep vein. It can also be called venous thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, phlebothrombosis.
The body is composed of superficial veins, deep veins and perforating veins. Perforating veins are the kind of veins that permit one – way flow of blood from the superficial to the deep vein system. On the other hand, superficial veins are made of thick – walled muscles and lie just beneath the skin. Deep veins however, are made of thin – walled muscle media. Both superficial and deep vein have valves that allows unidirectional flow of blood to and back the heart. The valve is situated along the vein’s base segment and extends into a sinus. With these structural arrangements, the valves readily open and close without coming in contact with the vein walls, it also permits rapid closure when the blood flows backward, preventing regurgitation.
