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Medical Definition of Paraumbilical veins
1. Several small veins arising from cutaneous veins about the umbilicus running along the round ligament of the liver, and terminating as accessory portal veins in the substance of this organ; they constitute a portocaval anastomosis and are subject to varicosity druign portal hypertension; varicose paraumbilical veins form the "caput medussae". Synonym: venae paraumbilicales, Sappey's veins. (05 Mar 2000)