Veins of the posterior thoracic wall (Latin)

The oesophagus is drained by venae oesophageae via a venous plexus which drains into the following vessels: Vv. thyroideae inferiores: drain the upper third of the oesophagus, empties into the vv. brachiocephalicae.Vv. azygae: drains the middle third of the oesophagus, empties into the vena cava superior.V. gasrtica sinistra: drain the lower third/pars abdominalis of the oesophagus, empties into the vena portae hepatis (anastomosis of systemic and portal venous systems occurs here).