Oesophageal veins

Oesophageal Veins

Illustration of the oesophageal veins from Gray's Anatomy

The oesophageal veins are small blood vessels that drain blood from the esophagus and empty into the azygos vein on the right side and the hemiazygos vein on the left side. They play a crucial role in the venous system of the thoracic cavity.

Anatomy

The oesophageal veins originate from the submucosal plexus in the esophagus. They run in the submucosa and muscularis externa layers of the esophagus, and drain into the azygos and hemiazygos veins.

Clinical significance

In conditions such as portal hypertension, the oesophageal veins can become enlarged and form oesophageal varices, which are prone to bleeding and can be life-threatening.

See also

• Portal vein
• Azygos vein
• Hemiazygos vein
• Esophagus