When the pressure in the portal vein is elevated, venous enlargement (varices) tend to occur at and around the sites of portosystemic anastomoses and these enlarged veins are called: varices at the anorectal junction, esophageal varices at the gastroesophageal junction, and caput medusae at the umbilicus.
Esophageal varices are susceptible to trauma and, once damaged, may bleed profusely, requiring urgent surgical intervention.