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Caput medusae is the appearance of distended and engorged superficial epigastric veins, which are seen radiating from the umbilicus across the abdomen. The name caput medusae (Latin for "head of Medusa") originates from the apparent similarity to Medusa's head, which had venomous snakes in place of hair. It is also a sign of portal hypertension ...
Portal hypertension is defined as increased portal venous pressure, ... Swollen veins on the anterior abdominal wall (referred to as caput medusae) [1]
A portacaval anastomosis or portocaval anastomosis is a specific type of circulatory anastomosis that occurs between the veins of the portal circulation and the vena cava, thus forming one of the principal types of portasystemic anastomosis or portosystemic anastomosis, as it connects the portal circulation to the systemic circulation, providing an alternative pathway for the blood.
Typically this occurs due to portal hypertension which shunts venous blood from the portal system through the portosystemic anastomosis present at this site into the systemic venous system. [2] [3] This can also occur in the esophagus, causing esophageal varices, and at the level of the umbilicus, causing caput medusae. [4]
Caput medusae are dilated paraumbilical collateral veins due to portal hypertension. [39] Blood from the portal venous system may be forced through the paraumbilical veins and ultimately to the abdominal wall veins. Caput Medusae The created pattern resembles the head of Medusa, hence the name. [9]
When a patient experiences portal hypertension, there can be congestion (backup) of blood that enters into the caval system via the thoracoepigastric vein. When this occurs, there can be an externally visible dilation of the paraumbilical (and perhaps even the thoracoepigastric veins) which leads to the appearance of "Caput Medusae".
2.1 Portal hypertension. 2.2 Abscess. 2.3 Landmark. 3 ... These act as an important portacaval anastomosis in severe portal hypertension, resulting in a caput medusae ...
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 ...