A cirrhotic patient develops dilated periumbilical veins radiating from the umbilicus (caput medusae). The portosystemic shunt involved connects the paraumbilical veins to which systemic vessels?

• A Superior epigastric veins
• B Inferior epigastric and superficial epigastric veins of the abdominal wall ✓
• C Left gastric and oesophageal veins
• D Superior rectal veins

Explanation

Paraumbilical veins run in the falciform ligament from the left branch of the portal vein toward the umbilicus, where they anastomose with the systemic veins of the anterior abdominal wall, chiefly the inferior and superficial epigastric veins. Left gastric to oesophageal anastomoses produce varices instead, and superior rectal anastomoses produce haemorrhoids, killing options C and D.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.