Are Downhill Varices an Overlooked Entity of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleedings?

Figure 4

Schematic drawing of the collateral blood flow in the case of an occlusion of the vena cava superior. As shown, blood flows over the thyroid veins, then over the downhill varices of the esophagus and the azygos/hemiazygos vein into the inferior vena cava.