Vessel
Paraumbilical veins
Portal connections reaching the umbilical abdominal wall
High-yield
Their portal end and abdominal-wall end belong to different venous systems. Enlargement can redirect portal blood toward superficial systemic veins.
Overview
Paraumbilical veins connect the left portal region with veins near the umbilicus, traveling beside the liver's round ligament in the falciform ligament. Increased portal pressure can enlarge these communicating channels.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Communicate with the left portal venous branch near the round ligament.
- Course
- Run through the falciform ligament toward the anterior abdominal wall and umbilicus.
- Branches
- Connect with superficial and deeper epigastric venous networks.
- Supplies
- Provide venous communication rather than arterial tissue supply.
- Drains to
- With portal hypertension, flow may pass from the portal system into abdominal-wall veins and onward to the caval systems.
Clinical correlation
Dilated veins radiating around the umbilicus are called caput medusae. Doppler imaging can demonstrate flow in enlarged paraumbilical channels; visible surface veins alone do not define the entire underlying venous disorder.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the paraumbilical veins originate?
The paraumbilical veins arise from the communicate with the left portal venous branch near the round ligament.
What do the paraumbilical veins supply?
The paraumbilical veins supply the provide venous communication rather than arterial tissue supply.
Where do the paraumbilical veins drain to?
With portal hypertension, flow may pass from the portal system into abdominal-wall veins and onward to the caval systems.
What are the branches of the paraumbilical veins?
Branches of the paraumbilical veins include the connect with superficial and deeper epigastric venous networks.