Thrombophlebitis refers to which pathology?

• A. Inflammation of arteries
• B. Vein inflammation and clot formation
• C. Blockage of capillaries
• D. Increased arterial pressure

Answer: (B)

Thrombophlebitis is the combination of vein inflammation (phlebitis) with thrombus formation inside the vein. The inflamed venous wall triggers the coagulation cascade, leading to a clot that can partially or fully obstruct the vein. Clinically this presents with warmth, redness, tenderness, and sometimes swelling along the course of the affected vein, often in superficial veins after procedures or immobilization. This differs from inflammation of arteries (arteritis), which involves arterial walls; a capillary blockage would describe microvascular occlusion without vein inflammation; and increased arterial pressure refers to hypertension, not a vein inflammation with clot. So the description that includes both vein inflammation and clot formation best fits thrombophlebitis.