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portal system

American  

noun

Anatomy.
  1. a vascular arrangement in which blood from the capillaries of one organ is transported to the capillaries of another organ by a connecting vein or veins.

  2. (loosely) the hepatoportal system.


Etymology

Origin of portal system

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“How do you implement a shoe scan, or do you put it in with an existing portal system where the person is already standing while screening their shoes at the same time?” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2025

The liver processes the blood from the portal system to remove certain wastes and excess nutrients, which are stored for later use.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

This network, called the hypophyseal portal system, allows hypothalamic hormones to be transported to the anterior pituitary without first entering the systemic circulation.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

How does the renal portal system differ from the hypothalamo–hypophyseal and digestive portal systems?

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

These formations may occur during life, in the heart, arteries, veins, or in the portal system.

From Special Report on Diseases of the Horse by Michener, Charles B.