portal vein

American  

noun

Anatomy.

1. the large vein conveying blood to the liver from the veins of the stomach, intestine, spleen, and pancreas.

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portal vein British  

noun

1. any vein connecting two capillary networks, esp in the liver ( hepatic portal vein )

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Etymology

Origin of portal vein

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

As expected, the treatment altered the microbiome and changed the balance of metabolites in both peripheral blood and the hepatic portal vein.

From Science Daily • Dec. 14, 2025

Samples were taken from the hepatic portal vein, which carries blood from the intestine to the liver, and from peripheral blood, which travels from the liver to the heart before circulating through the body.

From Science Daily • Dec. 14, 2025

The liver and intestines are directly connected via the portal vein, a blood vessel that transports nutrients absorbed in the intestines directly to the liver.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2024

The portal triad is a distinctive arrangement around the perimeter of hepatic lobules, consisting of three basic structures: a bile duct, a hepatic artery branch, and a hepatic portal vein branch.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The former converge into the portal vein, the latter into the lymphatic vessels and thence into the thoracic ducts.

From Dietetics for Nurses by Proudfit, Fairfax T.