Portal
Vein Obstruction
In cases of portal vein obstruction , the superficial veins
around the umbilicus and the paraumbilical veins become grossly distended. The
distended subcutaneous veins radiate out from the umbilicus, producing in
severe cases the clinical picture referred to as caput medusae.
Caval
Obstruction
If the superior or inferior vena cava is obstructed, the
venous blood causes distention of the veins running from the anterior chest
wall to the thigh. The lateral thoracic vein anastomoses with the superficial
epigastric vein, a tributary of the great saphenous vein of the leg. In these
circumstances, a tortuous varicose vein may extend from the axilla to the lower
abdomen
Skin
and its Regional Lymph Nodes
Knowledge of the areas of the skin that drain into a
particular group of lymph nodes is clinically important. For example, it is possible
to find a swelling in the groin (enlarged superficial inguinal node) caused by
an infection or malignant tumor of the skin of the lower part of the anterior
abdominal wall or that of the buttock
