Portal Vein

Portal vein is formed by fusing of superior mesenteric vein and lienal vein, it brings blood with nutrients and other products from spleen, stomach, bowel and gallbladder to liver, where are nutrients metabolized. Portal vein system is connected with caval veins by portocaval anastomoses. Normal blood pressure in portal vein is less than 10 mmHg, higher blood pressure is classified as portal hypertension.
 * Length: 8cm
 * Width: 2cm

It has two branches in porta hepatis :
 * ramus dexter - for right liver lobe
 * remus sinister - for left liver lobe

Pathologies

 * portal hypertension - usually in patients with liver cirrhoses,
 * portal vein trombosis - predisposition is trauma,
 * infiltration of tumor - typically pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma.

Visualisation Possibilities

 * Ultrasonography - can verified width of lumen, can mess gradient in portal vein and
 * Computer tomography
 * Portography - catetherization of portal vein, contrast liquide is injected to portal vein under x-ray control

Related Articles

 * Portal Hypertension
 * Portocaval Anastomosis