ectasia
Variant: ectasis
(ek-tā'zh(ē-)ă 
)
(ek'tă-sĭs )
[Gr. ektasis, stretching, tension]
Dilatation of any tubular vessel.
duct e.An inflammatory condition of the lactiferous ducts of the breast. There may be a discharge from the nipple, inversion of the nipple, and periareolar sepsis. The ectasia may occur at any age following menarche. Even though it resembles carcinoma of the breast, it is not malignant.
The cause is unknown, but in some cases it may be associated with hyperprolactinemia due to a pituitary tumor.
Duct ectasia is treated with surgical drainage of the abscess and antibiotics.
dural e.A dilation of the membranes that line the lumbosacral spine, typically seen in patients with Marfan syndrome.
hypostatic e.Dilatation of a blood vessel from the pooling of blood in dependent parts, esp. the legs.
e. iridis Small size of the pupil of the eye caused by displacement of the iris.