A portacaval anastomosis (also known as portal systemic anastomosis ) is a specific type of anastomosis that occurs between the veins of portal circulation and those of systemic circulation.
Specific types include:
| Region | Name | portal circulation | systemic circulation |
| Esophageal | esophageal varices | left gastric vein | Azygos vein |
| Rectal | hemorrhoids | superior rectal vein | middle rectal veins and inferior rectal veins |
| Paraumbilical | caput medusae | paraumbilical veins | superficial epigastric vein |
| Retroperitoneal | (no clinical name) | right colic vein, middle colic vein, left colic vein | renal vein, suprarenal vein, paravertebral vein, and gonadal vein |
| Patent ductus venosus | (no clinical name) - rare | Left branch of portal vein | inferior vena cava |
It can be one of the conditions caused by portal hypertension. A useful mnemonic is that portal hypertension causes problems in the butt, the gut, and caput.
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