Varicose veins are veins that have become enlarged and tortuous. The term commonly refers to the veins on the leg, although varicose veins can occur elsewhere

Varices

Varices may refer to:In lower extremities* Varicose veins, large tortuous veins usually found on legsIn the digestive system* Sublingual varices* Esophageal varices, also known as Oesophageal varices* Gastric varices* Intestinal varices...

. Veins have leaflet valves to prevent blood from flowing backwards (retrograde). Leg muscles pump the veins to return blood to the heart, against the effects of gravity. When veins become varicose, the leaflets of the valves no longer meet properly, and the valves do not work.