What is Hepatic Portal Vein?
Hepatic portal vein, often called as portal vein, is a short vein present in the abdominal cavity. It is formed by the confluence of the superior and the splenic veins. The hepatic portal vein is located in the right quadrant of the abdomen and measures about 3 inches in adults. It originates behind the neck of the pancreas, and ascends anterior to the inferior vena cava. At the right end of the porta hepatis, it divides into two branches which ramify within the liver forming several smaller venous branches and ultimately portal venules. Hepatic Portal Vein Function The hepatic portal vein is responsible for draining blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen into the liver. It receives blood from the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, spleen and gall bladder through the inferior mesentric, gastric, and cystic veins. It carries the blood received from all these parts of the body to the liver. The blood that is brought to the liver by the hepatic portal vein is c
