Vessel
Hepatic portal vein
Venous inflow connecting digestive organs to liver sinusoids
High-yield
Superior mesenteric and splenic veins usually unite behind the pancreatic neck. The resulting portal vein reaches the liver through the hepatoduodenal ligament.
Overview
The portal vein carries blood from much of the digestive tract and related organs into the liver. Its flow brings absorbed substances for hepatic processing and contributes substantially to hepatic oxygen delivery, despite having less oxygen than arterial blood.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Usually formed by the union of splenic and superior mesenteric veins.
- Course
- Begins behind the pancreatic neck, passes toward the liver and ascends in the hepatoduodenal ligament.
- Branches
- Usually divides into right and left portal branches at the liver hilum; other branching patterns occur.
- Drains to
- Delivers blood to hepatic sinusoids from digestive, splenic and pancreatic territories, with additional biliary tributaries.
Clinical correlation
Raised portal pressure can enlarge connections to systemic veins, producing varices. Anorectal varices and ordinary hemorrhoids are different disorders and should not be treated as interchangeable terms.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the hepatic portal vein originate?
Usually formed by the union of splenic and superior mesenteric veins.
Where does the hepatic portal vein drain to?
Delivers blood to hepatic sinusoids from digestive, splenic and pancreatic territories, with additional biliary tributaries.
What are the tributaries of the hepatic portal vein?
Usually divides into right and left portal branches at the liver hilum; other branching patterns occur.
What is the course of the hepatic portal vein?
Begins behind the pancreatic neck, passes toward the liver and ascends in the hepatoduodenal ligament.