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Ray·naud's disease rā-'nōz- n a vascular disorder that is marked by recurrent spasm of the capillaries and esp. those of the fingers and toes upon exposure to cold, that is characterized by pallor, cyanosis, and redness in succession usu. accompanied by pain, and that in severe cases progresses to local gangrene called also Raynaud's

Ray·naud re-nō Maurice (1834-1881)

French physician. Raynaud described the vascular disorder now known as Raynaud's disease in his thesis for a medical degree in 1862. In 1874 he published a revised version of the dissertation with additional case reports and experimental studies. He was also very much interested in the history of medicine and wrote a scholarly study of the medical profession in the time of Molière.

a condition of unknown cause in which the arteries of the fingers are unduly reactive and enter spasm (angiospasm or vasospasm) when the hands are cold. This produces attacks of pallor, numbness, and discomfort in the fingers. A similar condition (Raynaud's phenomenon) may result from atherosclerosis, connective-tissue diseases, ingestion of ergot derivatives, or the frequent use of vibrating tools. Gangrene or ulceration of the fingertips may result from lack of blood to the affected part. Warm gloves and peripheral vasodilator may relieve the condition. In unresponsive cases sympathectomy is of value.