Portosystemic Anastomosis
Portosystemic connections are present in
Gastroesophageal area
Between the esophageal tributary of the left gastric vein and the esophageal tributaries of the azygos vein
Rectum
Between the superior, middle, and inferior rectal veins
Around the umbilicus
Between the left portal, umbilical, and paraumbilical veins and the superficial and deep epigastric veins
Retroperitoneum
Between the colic and splenic veins and renal and posterior parietal veins
What is portocaval anastomosis?
Porto-systemic anastomosis also known as portocaval anastomosis is the collateral communication between the portal and the systemic venous system.
| Lower esophagus | Anastomosis between – Left gastric veins (portal system) and lower branches of oesophageal veins (systemic veins) |
| Upper part of anal canal | Anastomosis between – Superior rectal veins (portal) and inferior and middle rectal veins (systemic) |
| Umbilicus | Anastomosis between – Paraumbilical veins (portal) and epigastric veins (systemic) |
| Area of the liver | Anastomosis between – Intraparenchymal branches of right division of portal vein (portal) and retroperitoneal veins (systemic) |
| Hepatic and splenic flexures | Anastomosis between – Omental and colonic veins (portal) and retroperitoneal veins (systemic) |
| Hepatic and splenic | Anastomosis between – Ductus venosus (portal) and inferior vena cava (systemic) |
| Function of the porto-systemic anastomosis | Provide alternative routes of venous blood circulation when there is a blockage in the liver or portal vein. Ensure that venous blood from the gastrointestinal tract still reaches the heart through the inferior vena cava without going through the liver. |
