RT Book, Section A1 Barlotta, Kevin S. A1 Stack, Lawrence B. A1 Knoop, Kevin J. A2 Knoop, Kevin J. A2 Stack, Lawrence B. A2 Storrow, Alan B. A2 Thurman, R. Jason SR Print(0) ID 1181041001 T1 Caput Medusae T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e YR 2021 FD 2021 PB McGraw-Hill PP New York, NY SN 9781260134940 LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181041001 RD 2024/03/28 AB Veins of the abdomen normally are scarcely visible within the abdominal wall. Engorged veins, however, are often visible through the normal abdominal wall. Engorged veins forming a knot in the area of the umbilicus are described as caput medusae. The extent of associated findings depends on the underlying etiology. It is usually secondary to liver cirrhosis, with subsequent portal hypertension and development of circulation circumventing the liver.