Determining the direction of blood flow in the veins of the anterior abdominal wall is important because it differentiates cirrhosis from vena caval obstruction. . . Cirrhosis, the direction of blood flow is away from the umbilicus (radiating like a star from the umbilicus), whereas in vena caval obstruction, the direction is eithercompletely above downward (SVC obstruction) or completely below upward (IVC obstruction).
Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClWSMjrsBO9/?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=