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Hepatic portal vein
 
 
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The hepatic portal vein (often simply portal vein) is a vein
Vein

In the circulatory system, veins are blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary vein and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated blood....
 in the abdominal cavity
Abdominal cavity

The abdominal cavity is the body cavity of the human body that holds the bulk of the viscus and which is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity....
 that drains blood from the gastrointestinal tract
Gastrointestinal tract

The digestive tract is the system of Organ s within multicellular animals that takes in food, digestion it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste....
 and spleen
Spleen

The spleen is an organ found in all vertebrate animals. In humans, the spleen is located in the abdomen of the body, where it functions in the destruction of redundant red blood cells, and holds a reservoir of blood....
. It is usually formed by the confluence of the superior mesenteric
Superior mesenteric vein

In anatomy, the superior mesenteric vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine . At its termination behind the neck of the pancreas, the SMV combines with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein....
 and splenic vein
Splenic vein

In anatomy, the splenic vein is the blood vessel that drains blood from the spleen.It joins with the superior mesenteric vein, to form the hepatic portal vein and follows a course superior to the pancreas, alongside of the similarly named artery, the splenic artery....
s, and also receives blood from the inferior mesenteric
Inferior mesenteric vein

In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the large intestine. It usually terminates when reaching the splenic vein, which goes on to form the portal vein with the superior mesenteric vein ....
, gastric
Gastric vein

Gastric vein can refer to:* Left gastric vein* Right gastric veinExcess long comment to prevent listing on...
, and cystic vein
Cystic vein

The cystic vein drains the blood from the gall-bladder, and, accompanying the cystic duct, usually ends in the right branch of the Hepatic portal vein....
s. The hepatic portal vein is a major component of the hepatic portal system, one of the main portal venous system
Portal venous system

In human anatomy, the hepatic portal system is the system of veins that comprises the hepatic portal vein and its tributaries. It is also called the portal venous system, although it is not the only example of a portal venous system, and splanchnic veins, which is not synonymous with hepatic portal system and imprecise...
s in the body.

Conditions involving the hepatic portal vein cause considerable illness and death globally.






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The hepatic portal vein (often simply portal vein) is a vein
Vein

In the circulatory system, veins are blood vessels that carry blood toward the heart. Most veins carry deoxygenated blood from the tissues back to the heart; exceptions are the pulmonary vein and umbilical veins, both of which carry oxygenated blood....
 in the abdominal cavity
Abdominal cavity

The abdominal cavity is the body cavity of the human body that holds the bulk of the viscus and which is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity....
 that drains blood from the gastrointestinal tract
Gastrointestinal tract

The digestive tract is the system of Organ s within multicellular animals that takes in food, digestion it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste....
 and spleen
Spleen

The spleen is an organ found in all vertebrate animals. In humans, the spleen is located in the abdomen of the body, where it functions in the destruction of redundant red blood cells, and holds a reservoir of blood....
. It is usually formed by the confluence of the superior mesenteric
Superior mesenteric vein

In anatomy, the superior mesenteric vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine . At its termination behind the neck of the pancreas, the SMV combines with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein....
 and splenic vein
Splenic vein

In anatomy, the splenic vein is the blood vessel that drains blood from the spleen.It joins with the superior mesenteric vein, to form the hepatic portal vein and follows a course superior to the pancreas, alongside of the similarly named artery, the splenic artery....
s, and also receives blood from the inferior mesenteric
Inferior mesenteric vein

In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the large intestine. It usually terminates when reaching the splenic vein, which goes on to form the portal vein with the superior mesenteric vein ....
, gastric
Gastric vein

Gastric vein can refer to:* Left gastric vein* Right gastric veinExcess long comment to prevent listing on...
, and cystic vein
Cystic vein

The cystic vein drains the blood from the gall-bladder, and, accompanying the cystic duct, usually ends in the right branch of the Hepatic portal vein....
s. The hepatic portal vein is a major component of the hepatic portal system, one of the main portal venous system
Portal venous system

In human anatomy, the hepatic portal system is the system of veins that comprises the hepatic portal vein and its tributaries. It is also called the portal venous system, although it is not the only example of a portal venous system, and splanchnic veins, which is not synonymous with hepatic portal system and imprecise...
s in the body.

Conditions involving the hepatic portal vein cause considerable illness and death globally. An important example of such a condition is elevated blood pressure
Blood pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs. The pressure of the circulating blood decreases as it moves away from the heart through artery and capillary, and toward the heart through veins....
 in the hepatic portal vein. This condition, called portal hypertension
Portal hypertension

In medicine, portal hypertension is hypertension in the portal vein and its tributaries.It is often defined as a portal pressure gradient of 5 mm Hg or greater....
, is a major complication of cirrhosis
Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver Tissue by fibrous scar tissue as well as regenerative Nodule , leading to progressive loss of liver function....
 worldwide.

Anatomy

 Tributaries of the hepatic portal vein
  • Splenic vein
    Splenic vein

    In anatomy, the splenic vein is the blood vessel that drains blood from the spleen.It joins with the superior mesenteric vein, to form the hepatic portal vein and follows a course superior to the pancreas, alongside of the similarly named artery, the splenic artery....
  • Superior mesenteric vein
    Superior mesenteric vein

    In anatomy, the superior mesenteric vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine . At its termination behind the neck of the pancreas, the SMV combines with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein....
  • Inferior mesenteric vein
    Inferior mesenteric vein

    In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the large intestine. It usually terminates when reaching the splenic vein, which goes on to form the portal vein with the superior mesenteric vein ....
  • Gastric vein
    Gastric vein

    Gastric vein can refer to:* Left gastric vein* Right gastric veinExcess long comment to prevent listing on...
    s
  • Cystic vein
    Cystic vein

    The cystic vein drains the blood from the gall-bladder, and, accompanying the cystic duct, usually ends in the right branch of the Hepatic portal vein....


Measuring approximately 8 cm (3 in) in adults, the hepatic portal vein is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, originating behind the neck of the pancreas
Pancreas

The pancreas is a gland Organ in the digestive system and endocrine system of vertebrates. It is both an endocrine gland , as well as an exocrine gland, secreting pancreatic juice containing Digestion enzymes that pass to the small intestine....
.

In most individuals, the hepatic portal vein is formed by the union of the superior mesenteric vein
Superior mesenteric vein

In anatomy, the superior mesenteric vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine . At its termination behind the neck of the pancreas, the SMV combines with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein....
 and the splenic vein
Splenic vein

In anatomy, the splenic vein is the blood vessel that drains blood from the spleen.It joins with the superior mesenteric vein, to form the hepatic portal vein and follows a course superior to the pancreas, alongside of the similarly named artery, the splenic artery....
. For this reason, the hepatic portal vein is occasionally called the splenic-mesenteric confluence. Occasionally, the hepatic portal vein also directly communicates with the inferior mesenteric vein
Inferior mesenteric vein

In human anatomy, the inferior mesenteric vein is a blood vessel that drains blood from the large intestine. It usually terminates when reaching the splenic vein, which goes on to form the portal vein with the superior mesenteric vein ....
, although this is highly variable. Other tributaries of the hepatic portal vein include the cystic
Cystic vein

The cystic vein drains the blood from the gall-bladder, and, accompanying the cystic duct, usually ends in the right branch of the Hepatic portal vein....
 and gastric veins.

Immediately before reaching the liver, the portal vein divides into right and left. It ramifies further, forming smaller venous branches and ultimately portal venules. Each portal venule courses alongside a hepatic arteriole and the two vessels form the vascular components of the portal triad
Portal triad

A portal triad is a distinctive arrangement in the liver, consisting of the following four structures:* hepatic artery* hepatic portal vein...
. These vessels ultimately empty into the hepatic sinusoids to supply blood to the liver.

Portacaval anastomoses

The portal venous system
Portal venous system

In human anatomy, the hepatic portal system is the system of veins that comprises the hepatic portal vein and its tributaries. It is also called the portal venous system, although it is not the only example of a portal venous system, and splanchnic veins, which is not synonymous with hepatic portal system and imprecise...
 has several anastomoses with the systemic venous system
Systemic venous system

In human anatomy, the systemic venous system is the veins that drain into the right atrium without passing through two vascular beds .The term systemic venous system is often used to differeniate veins from veins that drain the pulmonary veins system and veins that drain the digestive tract ....
. In cases of portal hypertension
Portal hypertension

In medicine, portal hypertension is hypertension in the portal vein and its tributaries.It is often defined as a portal pressure gradient of 5 mm Hg or greater....
 these anastamoses may become engorged, dilated, or varicosed and subsequently rupture.

Accessory hepatic portal veins

Accessory hepatic portal veins are those veins that drain directly into the liver without joining the hepatic portal vein. These include the paraumbilical veins as well as veins of the lesser omentum
Lesser omentum

The lesser omentum is the double layer of peritoneum that extends from the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the start of the duodenum....
, falciform ligament
Falciform ligament

The falciform ligament is a broad and thin antero-posterior peritoneal fold, falciform in shape, its base being directed downward and backward, its apex upward and backward....
, and those draining the gallbladder
Gallbladder

The gallbladder is a small non-vital Organ which aids in the digestive process and concentrates bile produced in the liver....
 wall.

Physiology

The hepatic portal vein and hepatic arteries form the liver's dual blood supply. Approximately 75% of hepatic blood flow is derived from the hepatic portal vein, while the remainder is from the hepatic arteries.

Unlike most veins, the hepatic portal vein does not drain into the heart
Heart

The heart is a muscle organ in all vertebrates responsible for pumping blood through the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions, or a similar structure in annelids, mollusks, and arthropods....
. Rather, it is part of a portal venous system
Portal venous system

In human anatomy, the hepatic portal system is the system of veins that comprises the hepatic portal vein and its tributaries. It is also called the portal venous system, although it is not the only example of a portal venous system, and splanchnic veins, which is not synonymous with hepatic portal system and imprecise...
 that delivers venous blood into another capillary system, namely the hepatic sinusoids of the liver. In carrying venous blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver, the hepatic portal vein accomplishes two tasks; namely, it supplies the liver with metabolic substrates and it ensures that substances ingested are first processed by the liver before reaching the systemic circulation
Systemic circulation

Systemic circulation is the portion of the cardiovascular system which carries oxygenated blood away from the heart, to the body, and returns deoxygenated blood back to the heart....
.

Role in disease


Portal hypertension


Increased blood pressure
Blood pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood on the walls of blood vessels, and constitutes one of the principal vital signs. The pressure of the circulating blood decreases as it moves away from the heart through artery and capillary, and toward the heart through veins....
 in the portal vein, called portal hypertension
Portal hypertension

In medicine, portal hypertension is hypertension in the portal vein and its tributaries.It is often defined as a portal pressure gradient of 5 mm Hg or greater....
, is a major complication of liver disease, most commonly cirrhosis
Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver Tissue by fibrous scar tissue as well as regenerative Nodule , leading to progressive loss of liver function....
. Stigmata of portal hypertension include those of chronic liver disease: ascites
Ascites

In medicine , ascites is an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Although most commonly due to cirrhosis and severe liver disease, its presence can portend other significant medical problems....
, esophageal varices
Esophageal varices

In medicine , esophageal varices are extremely dilation sub-mucosal veins in the esophagus. They are most often a consequence of portal hypertension, such as may be seen with cirrhosis; patients with esophageal varices have a strong tendency to develop bleeding....
, spider nevi, caput medusae
Caput medusae

Caput medusae is the appearance of distended and engorged paraumbilical veins which are seen radiating from the umbilicus across the abdomen to join systemic veins....
, and palmar erythema
Palmar erythema

Palmar erythema is reddening of the hands at the thenar and hypothenar eminences....
.

Pylephlebitis


Pylephlebitis
Pylephlebitis

Pylephlebitis is an inflammation of the portal vein or any of its branches. It is usually a complication of intraabdominal sepsis, most often following diverticulitis or appendicitis....
 is infection of the hepatic portal vein, usually arising from an infectious intraabdominal process such as diverticulosis
Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis, otherwise known as "diverticular disease", is the condition of having diverticulum in the colon which are outpocketings of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through weaknesses of muscle layers in the colon wall....
.

Additional images


External links