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Written by the OrganizedWisdom Team with as the reviewer. All original content is supervised by the The OrganizedWisdom Medical Review Team
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Oesophageal varices are dilatated of oesophageal veins secondary to portal hypertension. They are venous collaterals formed by the increased pressure in portal venous system which occur in areas where there are anastomoses between the portal and systemic venous systems. Veins around the umbilicus (causing caput medusae) and in the rectum (haemorrhoids) are other sites of such anastomoses - but the oesophageal varices are most important as they have an increased tendency to bleed. The commonest cause of portal hypertension is cirrhosis.
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