[intro]The cavo-caval and porta-caval anastomoses provide an alternative pathway for drainage of blood between the two caval veins (superior and inferior vena cava), and the portal vein and the caval veins. These anastomoses exist
Description
In case of occluded venous drainage of a major vessel such as one of the vena cava (superior or inferior), or the portal vein, an alternative drainage must develop, forming a non-physiological anastomosis between two veins, draining blood from the occluded vein.
As their name suggests, cavo-caval and porta-caval anastomoses are essentially anastomoses between two or more branches that reach unrelated major trunks of veins.
Cavo-caval anastomoses
The cavo-caval anastomosis connects between the superior and inferior vena cava; they can