Varicose veins radiating from the umbilicus on the anterior abdominal wall are called what?

Varicose veins radiating from the umbilicus on the anterior abdominal wall are called what?

• A. Caput Medusa
• B. Varicose veins
• C. Hemorrhoids
• D. Esophageal varices

Answer: (A)

Caput medusae describes the serpentine, radiating veins around the umbilicus caused by portal hypertension. When pressure in the portal system rises, blood finds collateral routes to the systemic veins, including recanalization of the paraumbilical veins and drainage into the superficial abdominal wall veins. This creates the characteristic snake-like pattern emanating from the navel. Other options point to varices in different locations: leg varicose veins, hemorrhoids in the anal canal, and esophageal varices in the esophagus. The specific location around the umbilicus with radiating abdominal wall veins is the hallmark of caput medusae.

Caput medusae describes the serpentine, radiating veins around the umbilicus caused by portal hypertension. When pressure in the portal system rises, blood finds collateral routes to the systemic veins, including recanalization of the paraumbilical veins and drainage into the superficial abdominal wall veins. This creates the characteristic snake-like pattern emanating from the navel.

Other options point to varices in different locations: leg varicose veins, hemorrhoids in the anal canal, and esophageal varices in the esophagus. The specific location around the umbilicus with radiating abdominal wall veins is the hallmark of caput medusae.