Which statement about esophageal varices is true?

Which statement about esophageal varices is true?

• A. They are small arteries in the stomach
• B. They are normal structures
• C. They are dilated vessels that can rupture due to portal hypertension in cirrhosis
• D. They are unrelated to liver disease

Answer: (C)

Esophageal varices form when high pressure in the portal venous system from liver disease causes collateral veins in the distal esophagus to dilate. Those dilated veins are fragile and can rupture, leading to potentially life-threatening upper GI bleeding. This is why the true statement describes them as dilated vessels that can rupture due to portal hypertension in cirrhosis. They are not normal structures, nor are they arteries, and they are closely linked to liver disease, not unrelated to it.

Esophageal varices form when high pressure in the portal venous system from liver disease causes collateral veins in the distal esophagus to dilate. Those dilated veins are fragile and can rupture, leading to potentially life-threatening upper GI bleeding. This is why the true statement describes them as dilated vessels that can rupture due to portal hypertension in cirrhosis. They are not normal structures, nor are they arteries, and they are closely linked to liver disease, not unrelated to it.