Hepatic portal system

Definition

The hepatic portal system is a network of veins that carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This system is crucial for transporting nutrients absorbed from the food we eat directly to the liver for processing.

Related terms

Liver:

A vital organ responsible for filtering blood, detoxifying chemicals, and metabolizing drugs.

Gastrointestinal tract: The series of organs in the digestive system through which food passes, nutrients are absorbed, and waste is eliminated.

Vein: A blood vessel that carries blood toward the heart, often carrying deoxygenated blood except in the case of pulmonary and umbilical veins