Paraumbilical veins
In the course of the round ligament of the liver, small paraumbilical veins are found which establish an anastomosis between the veins of the anterior abdominal wall and the portal vein, hypogastric, and iliac veins. These veins include Burrow's veins, and the veins of Sappey – superior veins of Sappey and the inferior veins of Sappey.[1][2]
| Paraumbilical veins | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | venae paraumbilicales |
| TA98 | A12.3.12.013 |
| TA2 | 5108 |
| FMA | 71591 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The best marked of these small veins is one which commences at the navel (umbilicus) and runs backward and upward in, or on the surface of, the round ligament (ligamentum teres) between the layers of the falciform ligament to end in the left portal vein.
Pathophysiology
In cases of portal hypertension, the paraumbilical veins may become enlarged in order to reduce hepatic portal vein pressure by shunting blood to the superficial epigastric vein. The superficial epigastric vein drains to the femoral vein which ultimately drains into the inferior vena cava directly through the external iliac and common iliac vein, thereby bypassing the liver. Dilation of this particular portacaval anastomosis results in what is referred to as caput medusae.
References
- Philips, CA; Arora, A; Shetty, R; Kasana, V (2016). "A Comprehensive Review of Portosystemic Collaterals in Cirrhosis: Historical Aspects, Anatomy, and Classifications". International Journal of Hepatology. 2016: 6170243. doi:10.1155/2016/6170243. PMC 5198179. PMID 28074159.
- Khader.O.Thabet, Mohammed Al. "Paraumbilical veins | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org". Radiopaedia. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
External links
- Atlas image: abdo_wall76 at the University of Michigan Health System - "Venous Drainage of the Anterior Abdominal Wall"