A patient has been found to have a marked dilatation of saphenous veins in the region of anterior abdominal wall around the navel. This is symptomatic of pressure increase in the following vessel:

Answer options

1. V. mesenterica superior
2. V. mesenterica inferior
3. V. cava superior
4. V. cava inferior
5. V. portae hepatis

Explanation

Probably a mistake(i.e. the saphenous), we should pay more attention to the dilation of veins in the anterior abdominal wall, most veins in the abdominal region (i.e. Superior mesenteric vein, Splenic vein) drain to the hepatic portal vein. An increase in pressure in H.P.vein would lead to dilation in most veins in the anterior abdominal wall.