What term describes the dilation of capillary walls leading to increased blood flow?

The term that accurately describes the dilation of capillary walls leading to increased blood flow is hyperemia. This physiological process occurs when blood vessels expand, allowing for more blood to flow through the area. It can result from various stimuli, such as inflammation or increased metabolic activity, and serves an important function in delivering necessary nutrients and oxygen to tissues, as well as facilitating the removal of waste products.

While telangiectasia refers specifically to small, dilated blood vessels that can appear prominently just beneath the skin, this term does not encompass the overall increase in blood flow that hyperemia describes. Hypertrophy pertains to an increase in the size of cells or tissues, and ischemia denotes a lack of blood flow and the associated oxygen deficiency, which is a contrasting concept to hyperemia. Therefore, hyperemia is the most accurate term for the mentioned physiological event.