How does the hepatic portal system work?
Ethan Hayes
Updated on June 11, 2026
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Moreover, how does blood flow through the hepatic portal system?
Blood passes from branches of the portal vein through cavities between "plates" of hepatocytes called sinusoids. Blood also flows from branches of the hepatic artery and mixes in the sinusoids to supply the hepatocytes with oxygen.
Likewise, what is a portal system of circulation? In the circulatory system of animals, a portal venous system occurs when a capillary bed pools into another capillary bed through veins, without first going through the heart. For this reason, portal vein most commonly refers to the hepatic portal vein.
Thereof, how does the hepatic portal system help with digestion?
The portal system begins in the capillaries and venules of the digestive system. It collects venous blood from the lower esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, spleen and delivers it to the liver via portal vein. Consequently, portal blood contains the substances absorbed by the digestive tract.
What are portal systems in the human body?
The portal system (Fig. 591) includes all the veins which drain the blood from the abdominal part of the digestive tube (with the exception of the lower part of the rectum) and from the spleen, pancreas, and gall-bladder. From these viscera the blood is conveyed to the liver by the portal vein.
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