Portal Vein (Noun)
Meaning
A short vein that carries blood into the liver.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The portal vein is a vital blood vessel that supplies the liver with oxygen and nutrients from the digestive organs.
- Blood from the stomach, small intestine, and spleen flows into the portal vein, which then carries it to the liver for processing.
- The liver receives deoxygenated blood from the portal vein and filters out toxins and waste products before sending the blood back to the heart.
- In some cases of liver disease, blood flow through the portal vein can become restricted, leading to increased pressure and potentially life-threatening complications.
- The portal vein is formed by the confluence of the superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein, which merge to create this short but crucial vein.