It is important to realize that although these minute
caliber veins are connected with the larger venous
system, they are not an essential part of it. Spider veins
can resemble a spider, with a group of veins radiating outward
from a dark central point, they may be arborizing, resembling
a tree with smaller and smaller branches, or they may be
disconnected linear shapes.

Varicose veins are different from spider veins. Varicose veins are
larger, usually more than a quarter-inch in diameter, tend to be
darker in color and often bulge. Varicose veins are also more
likely to be symptomatic, with pain being a common complaint.
For some patients, sclerotherapy can be used to treat varicose
veins. However, more aggressive surgical treatment is sometimes necessary for this condition.