Vein carrying blood from gastrointestinal tract to liver; formed by confluence of superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein
Expansion
Portal Vein
Purpose
Assess for patency, thrombosis, flow direction (cavernous transformation if occluded)
Clinical Context
Portal vein: superior mesenteric vein plus splenic vein merger to main portal vein to right and left branches. Normal flow hepatopetal (toward liver). Thrombosis or cirrhosis shows cavernous transformation, small bowel varices.
Related Terms
- Hepatic artery
- Hepatic vein
Key Points
- Portal vein thrombosis associated with cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, hypercoagulable state