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Caput medusae

System: Abdominal & Digestive Signs · All abdominal & digestive signs

What it is — and how it is elicited

Distended veins radiating outwards over the abdomen from around the navel, like snakes — named after Medusa's hair in Greek myth.

What a positive finding suggests

Associated with portal hypertension, most often from cirrhosis of the liver.

Related signs — Abdominal & Digestive Signs

Aaron's signAsterixisBallance's signBlumberg's signBlumer's shelfBoas' sign

Browse the C section of the A–Z list or return to the Clinical Signs hub.

Please note: This page is an educational reference about clinical examination signs. A clinical sign supports — and never replaces — a full clinical evaluation, examination and appropriate testing. A sign being present does not by itself prove a diagnosis, and an absent sign does not rule one out. If you have symptoms that worry you, see a health professional.