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 hepatic portal vein delivers partially deoxygenated blood containing nutrients absorbed from the small intestine and actually supplies more oxygen to the liver than do the much smaller hepatic arteries.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

We have learned that various food materials, prepared by the digestive processes, are taken up by the branches of the portal vein, or by the lymphatics, and carried into the blood current.

From A Practical Physiology by Blaisdell, Albert F.