Origin: Hepatic Portal Vein is formed by the union of Splenic vein and Superior mesenteric Vein behind the neck of pancreas at L1 vertebral level.
Termination: The portal vein terminates by branching into right branch (entering right lobe of liver) and left branch entering (left lobe of liver).
Parts:
- Supraduodenal
- Retroduodenal
- Infraduodenal
Tributaries:
- Splenic vein
- Superior mesenteric vein
- Cystic vein
- Paraumbilical vein
- Right and Left gastric vein
- Superior pancreaticoduodenal vein
Points to remember:
Tributaries of splenic vein:
- Veins corresponding to the branches of splenic artery
- Inferior mesenteric vein
Tributaries of inferior mesenteric vein:
- Veins corresponding to the branches of inferior mesenteric artery
Tributaries of superior mesenteric vein:
- Veins corresponding to the branches of superior mesenteric artery
- Inferior pancreaticoduodenal vein
- Right gastroepiploic vein
Sites of Portocaval Anastomoses
| Site | Portal vein | Systemic vein | Portal hypertension |
| Abdominal esophagus | Esophageal tributaries of left gastric vein | Esophageal tributaries of accessory hemiazygos vein | Esophageal varices |
| Umbilicus | Paraumbilical vein | Superficial epigastric vein | Caput medusae |
| Anal canal | Superior rectal vein | Middle and Inferior rectal vein | Hemorrhoids |
| Bare area of liver | Hepatic venules | Phrenic and intercostal veins | |
| Posterior abdominal wall | Twigs of colic vein | Retroperitoneal vein |