Vasculature

Question 1

If there was a block on the SVC/IVC, how can blood still flow to its destination?

Answer 1

Ex: if IVC was blocked….
Via posterior body wall veins: would go into the ascending lumbar veins–>azygos vein (right side) and hemiazygos vein (left side which will drain into azygos vein)–> SVC

via anteromedial body wall: would go down the common illiac vein–>external illiac veins–>inferior epigastric veins–>superior epigastric veins –>internal thoracic veins–>brachocephalic–> SVC

via anteriolateral body wall: would go common iliac vein–>external iliac vein–>femoral vein–>superficial epigastric–>thoracoepigastric vein–>lateral thoracic veiin–>axillary vein–>subclavian vein–>brachocephalic vein–>SVC

Question 2

What is a portal system?

Answer 2

capillary bed drains into another capillary bed through veins

ex: hepatic portal system; links capillaries in the walls of the gut to a capillary system within the liver.

Question 3

hepatic portal hypertension

Answer 3

caused by hardening of the liver which can be caused by liver cancer or by cirrhosis of the liver.

when this happens it can cause blood to reverse and be forced into SYSTEMIC veins such as: esophageal, paraumbilical, rectal, retroperitoneal

Question 4

Esophageal Anastomosis

Answer 4

esophageal veins of the left gastric vein connect with the esophageal veins of the azygos vein complex to form engorged and dilated veins called esophageal varices. These varices may rupture and can be life threatening (patient will cough up purplish blood)

Question 5

Paraumbilical Anastomosis

Answer 5

paraumbilical veins connect with the superior, inferior and superficial epigastric veins of the anterior body wall. Hypertension of these veins produce “caput medusae” radiating around the umbilicus (can be seen through skin)

Question 6

Rectal Anastomoses

Answer 6

Superior rectal veins connect with the middle and inferior rectal veins which are from the internal iliac veins. Engorgement of these veins can lead to both internal and external hemorrhoids

Question 7

retroperitoneal anastomosis

Answer 7

colic veins can communicate with tributaries of the lumbar veins. these are challenging to see signs and symptoms.