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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.
Caput medusae is a clinical sign that is recognized by the physician by the characteristic appearance of distended veins emanating from the umbilicus of the patient. The shape of these veins and their arrangement around the umbilicus is said to resemble the snake-like hair of the mythological Greek Monster, Medusa. "Caput Medusae" [Latin] means ...
Inferior vena cava syndrome (IVCS) is a very rare constellation of symptoms resulting from either obstruction or stenosis of the inferior vena cava. It can be caused by physical invasion or compression by a pathological process, or by thrombosis within the vein itself. It can also occur during pregnancy. Symptoms including high venous pressure ...
Swollen veins on the anterior abdominal wall (referred to as caput medusae) [1] In addition, a widened (dilated) portal vein as seen on a CT scan or MRI may raise the suspicion about portal hypertension. A cutoff value of 13 mm is widely used in this regard, but the diameter is often larger than this is in normal individuals as well. [9]
Anorectal varices are collateral submucosal blood vessels dilated by backflow in the veins of the rectum. [1] 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.
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.
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.
Budd-Chiari syndrome is the blockage of a hepatic vein or of the hepatic part of the inferior vena cava. This form of thrombosis presents with abdominal pain , ascites and enlarged liver . Treatment varies between therapy and surgical intervention by the use of shunts .