Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function, 7th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073403717
ISBN 13: 978-0-07340-371-7

Chapter 20 - Section 20.7 - Study Guide - Assess Your Learning Outcomes - Page 799: 22

Answer

**Hepatic Portal System:** The hepatic portal system is a unique circulatory system that carries blood from the abdominal organs and gastrointestinal tract to the liver before it returns to the heart. This specialized system allows the liver to process nutrients, toxins, and other substances absorbed from the digestive tract. **Tributaries of the Hepatic Portal Vein:** The hepatic portal vein is formed by the convergence of several veins that collect blood from various abdominal organs. These tributaries include: 1. **Splenic Vein:** Drains blood from the spleen. The spleen plays a role in filtering blood and removing old red blood cells. 2. **Pancreatic Veins:** Drain blood from the pancreas, an organ involved in digestion and hormone regulation. 3. **Inferior Mesenteric Vein:** Drains blood from the lower part of the large intestine. 4. **Superior Mesenteric Vein:** Drains blood from the small intestine and the first two-thirds of the large intestine. **Continuation of Splenic Vein as Hepatic Portal Vein:** After the splenic vein collects blood from the spleen, it continues as the hepatic portal vein, which carries the blood to the liver. **Cystic Vein and Gastric Veins:** The cystic vein drains blood from the gallbladder, and the gastric veins drain blood from the stomach. Both of these veins contribute to the hepatic portal vein, allowing blood from these structures to be processed by the liver. **Hepatic Sinusoids in the Liver:** The hepatic portal vein branches into smaller vessels known as hepatic sinusoids within the liver. These sinusoids are a network of blood vessels where exchange of nutrients, waste products, and other substances between blood and liver cells occurs. **Hepatic Veins:** After the liver processes the blood, it drains into the systemic circulation through the hepatic veins. These veins carry the now-processed blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava, which returns it to the heart. For detailed and specific information, especially from the table you mentioned, I recommend consulting an anatomy textbook or medical resource.

Work Step by Step

**Hepatic Portal System:** The hepatic portal system is a unique circulatory system that carries blood from the abdominal organs and gastrointestinal tract to the liver before it returns to the heart. This specialized system allows the liver to process nutrients, toxins, and other substances absorbed from the digestive tract. **Tributaries of the Hepatic Portal Vein:** The hepatic portal vein is formed by the convergence of several veins that collect blood from various abdominal organs. These tributaries include: 1. **Splenic Vein:** Drains blood from the spleen. The spleen plays a role in filtering blood and removing old red blood cells. 2. **Pancreatic Veins:** Drain blood from the pancreas, an organ involved in digestion and hormone regulation. 3. **Inferior Mesenteric Vein:** Drains blood from the lower part of the large intestine. 4. **Superior Mesenteric Vein:** Drains blood from the small intestine and the first two-thirds of the large intestine. **Continuation of Splenic Vein as Hepatic Portal Vein:** After the splenic vein collects blood from the spleen, it continues as the hepatic portal vein, which carries the blood to the liver. **Cystic Vein and Gastric Veins:** The cystic vein drains blood from the gallbladder, and the gastric veins drain blood from the stomach. Both of these veins contribute to the hepatic portal vein, allowing blood from these structures to be processed by the liver. **Hepatic Sinusoids in the Liver:** The hepatic portal vein branches into smaller vessels known as hepatic sinusoids within the liver. These sinusoids are a network of blood vessels where exchange of nutrients, waste products, and other substances between blood and liver cells occurs. **Hepatic Veins:** After the liver processes the blood, it drains into the systemic circulation through the hepatic veins. These veins carry the now-processed blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava, which returns it to the heart. For detailed and specific information, especially from the table you mentioned, I recommend consulting an anatomy textbook or medical resource.
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