BCEN CEN Practice Question

The primary cause of esophageal varices is portal hypertension, which is an increased pressure within the portal vein system. This condition is most often a complication of cirrhosis of the liver, where scar tissue obstructs blood flow. The increased pressure forces blood to be rerouted through smaller, collateral veins, such as those in the esophagus, causing them to dilate and form varices. Mallory-Weiss syndrome involves a tear in the esophageal lining, peptic ulcer disease is caused by erosion of the lining, and gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining; none of these are the direct cause of variceal formation.