If a patient develops portal hypertension secondary to liver cirrhosis, which outcome is most likely in the esophageal veins?

💡 Explanation

The formation of esophageal varices becomes likely. Portal hypertension, due to cirrhosis, leads to increased pressure in the portal vein, which causes blood to bypass the liver through collateral vessels, including those in the esophagus. Therefore, varices form, rather than the other options which describe decreased pressure or normal vasculature, because of increased venous pressure.

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