Figure 4.

Efferents from gastric varices. The efferent of gastric varices can enter the superior vena cava via azygos venous system by continuing upwards as esophageal varices or by joining ascending lumbar veins. The drainage into inferior vena cava occurs by direct shunts or via one of the tributaries joining inferior vena cava (1). Commonly the gastric varices join the renal vein by the shunts shown in the figure (2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7). The left inferior phrenic vein can join the renal vein directly or via the adrenal vein. It can also go anteriorly to esophagus to join in IVC.