Hepatic Portal System


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Hepatic Portal System

It is the type of portal system, which is universally present in all vertebrates. It is a unique vascular system that exists between the digestive tract and liver. A vein called hepatic portal vein, carries blood from intestine to the liver (hepatic gland). The liver finally opens into inferior Vena Cava through its own vein (i.e., hepatic vein) before delivering it to systemic circulation.

A hepatic portal system is the system of veins comprising the hepatic portal vein and its tributaries. It is responsible for directing blood from the region of the gastrointestinal tract between the esophagus and rectum and also includes venous drainage from the supplementary organs such as the spleen and pancreas. It functions to supply the liver with metabolites and ensures that ingested substances are processed in the liver before reaching the systemic circulation, limiting the damage ingested toxins may cause.

The hepatic portal vein supplies about 75% of the blood the liver requires, with the other 25% supplied by the hepatic artery. Blood from the hepatic artery is oxygenated but nutrient-poor compared to that supplied by the hepatic portal vein. Blood from either source passes into cavities between the hepatocytes of the liver called sinusoids Since blood received from the hepatic portal vein may be contaminated with pathogens such as bacteria, the liver is rich in specialized immune cells called Kupffer cells that detect and destroy foreign organisms. Following processing, blood collects in a central vein that drains into the hepatic vein and finally the inferior Vena Cava.

The liver consumes about 20% of the total body oxygen when at rest. That is why the total liver blood flow is quite high at about 1 liter a minute and up to 2 liters a minute. That is about a quarter of the average cardiac output at rest.

                                              

 
 
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