Dilated veins in the distal esophagus or proximal stomach due to portal hypertension are called what?

• A. Stool guaiac test
• B. Varices
• C. Small Bowel Obstruction- SBO
• D. Pancreatitis

Answer: (B)

Varices are dilated submucosal veins that develop when portal hypertension forces blood to seek collateral routes into the systemic circulation, often in the distal esophagus and proximal stomach. The increased portal pressure enlarges these collateral channels where the left gastric (portal) veins connect with esophageal systemic veins, forming varices. They’re clinically important because rupture can cause life-threatening upper GI bleeding. Management focuses on preventing and treating bleeding, including endoscopic ligation or therapies that reduce portal pressure, and, in prevention, nonselective beta-blockers. The other options don’t fit because a stool guaiac test screens for occult blood in stool, not a vascular dilation; small bowel obstruction is a blockage of the small intestine; pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas.