Esophageal varices are most commonly caused by which condition leading to portal hypertension?

Esophageal varices are most commonly caused by which condition leading to portal hypertension?

• A. Liver cirrhosis
• B. Portal hypertension
• C. Caput Medusa
• D. Esophageal varices

Answer: (A)

Esophageal varices form when there is high pressure in the portal venous system, driving dilation of veins that bridge the portal and systemic circulations. The most common cause of portal hypertension in adults is liver cirrhosis, which distorts hepatic architecture and increases resistance to portal blood flow. That sustained pressure pushes blood through collateral pathways, including the esophageal submucosal veins, creating varices. Caput medusae is simply a visible sign of portal hypertension, not the cause, and portal hypertension itself is the result, not the underlying condition. So liver cirrhosis is the condition that most commonly leads to the portal hypertension responsible for esophageal varices.

Esophageal varices form when there is high pressure in the portal venous system, driving dilation of veins that bridge the portal and systemic circulations. The most common cause of portal hypertension in adults is liver cirrhosis, which distorts hepatic architecture and increases resistance to portal blood flow. That sustained pressure pushes blood through collateral pathways, including the esophageal submucosal veins, creating varices. Caput medusae is simply a visible sign of portal hypertension, not the cause, and portal hypertension itself is the result, not the underlying condition. So liver cirrhosis is the condition that most commonly leads to the portal hypertension responsible for esophageal varices.