Oesophageal Veins

• Drain the lower third of the Oesophagus in the Posterior Mediastinum

• Drains through Oesophageal opening in the Diaphragm to the Left Gastric Vein

• Oesophagus above this level drains into the Azygos system of veins

• Oesophagus

  • Upper oesophagus:
    • Brachiocephalic veins
  • Middle oesophagus:
    • Azygos system of veins
  • Lower oesophagus:
    • Oesophageal tributaries of Left Gastric Vein which empties into Portal Vein
      • Thus, in lower oesophagus exist an anastomosis between portal and systemic venous systems
      • Anastomosis lies at the level of Central Tendon (T8) well above the oesophageal hiatus
      • In portal obstruction, these become oesophageal varices