Veins of the esophagus are vessels that perform an important function in transporting blood throughout the body. They are part of the circulatory system and pass through the esophagus, a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
The veins of the esophagus are also called communicating veins, as they are of great importance for digestion and metabolism. They originate from the stomach vein, penetrate the diaphragm and open into the vena cava - a large vessel that carries blood from the abdominal organs. Venous vessels return to the right half of the heart, where oxygenated blood again enters the arteries for further transportation to all organs and tissues.
Because the esophageal veins are the only connection between the upper circulatory system (gastric cavity) and the lower circulatory system (abdominal cavity), their disruption can lead to serious consequences. With pathology of the esophageal veins, patients may suffer from severe pain, a feeling of heaviness and difficulty swallowing. These symptoms may be due to gastroesophageal reflux, which is the backflow of stomach contents into the esophageal tube, which can subsequently cause inflammation and other diseases.
However, disorders of the venous system are rare and usually occur due to other diseases. In most people, the esophageal veins function normally, provided there are no problems with other systems. Prevention of disorders consists of a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, and treatment consists of consultation with specialists and diagnosis.