What term refers to distended or dilated surface blood vessels?

The term that refers to distended or dilated surface blood vessels is telangiectasis. This condition is characterized by small, visible blood vessels that can appear as red or purple lines on the skin, often located on the face, legs, or other parts of the body. Telangiectasis is commonly associated with various conditions, including sun damage, rosacea, and certain genetic disorders.

Varicose veins denote enlarged veins, typically affecting the legs, but they are deeper veins and not specifically surface blood vessels. Chloasma, often called the "mask of pregnancy," involves hyperpigmentation on the face rather than blood vessels. Hemangioma refers to a benign tumor made up of blood vessels, which does not accurately describe the condition of distended surface blood vessels like telangiectasis does. Thus, telangiectasis is the most precise term for the described condition.