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Venous oedema, which occurs almost exclusively in the legs, develops due to increased venous pressure following valvular insufficiency, and is marked by blue discolouration, varicosities and, in chronic forms, by brown discolouration of the skin resulting from the deposition of haemosiderin. It is possible to confirm the condition by phlebological instrumental diagnosis. Primary lymphoedema also almost always occurs in the legs. It is caused by underdevelopment of lymphatic vessels, but the skin colour remains normal. It is recognisable by Stemmer’s sign and characteristic thickening of the skin over the toes resulting from subcutaneous protein fibrosis. Lymphoscintigraphy may be required for diagnosis in rare cases. Venous oedema and lymphoedema are found in both sexes, uni- or bilaterally. If bilaterally then usually asymmetrical. In contrast, lipoedema occurs in women only, thickening is always symmetrical, and the skin has a normal colour as in lymphoedema. The predisposing condition for lipoedema is lipohypertrophy of the extremities, a congenital accumulation of adipose tissue in the extremities that results in a disproportionate physical form with a relatively slim trunk. In one third of cases lipoedema is also observed in the arms. In contrast to lymphoedema, the hands and feet characteristically remain free of thickening and oedema.