Tim Taylor is a senior writer at Innerbody Research focusing on human anatomy and physiology. Tim earned both his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and his Master's degree in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh.
The hepatic portal vein has a number of branches. It carries blood from networks in the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and spleen to the liver. There, the vein branches out similar to an artery and the blood enters capillary-like hepatic sinusoids. After passing through the portal veins of the liver, blood is carried through a series of merging vessels into the hepatic veins. These empty into the inferior vena cava, and return the blood into circulation.
Copyright © Innerbody Research 1997 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.
Innerbody Research does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You must consult your own medical professional.