portal vein

noun

, Anatomy.

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

portal vein

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of portal vein¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Osaka University researchers discovered liver resident macrophages' pivotal role in defending against gut bacteria and related substances entering via the portal vein, particularly under compromised intestinal barrier conditions.

From Science Daily

Instead, it was the portal veins of the liver — vessels that carry that blood from around the intestine to the filtering organ — whose isolation silenced the messages back to the brain.

From New York Times

Imaging showed that she had a blocked right middle cerebral artery with brain infarction and clots in the right portal vein.

From Washington Times

Complications a month later saw her given two more units of blood and the following year she required emergency surgery on her liver and 30 units of blood after her portal vein was punctured.

From BBC

“We put three clamps – a clamp in each place – on the right atrium of the heart, the inferior vena cava, and the portal vein and hepatic artery of the liver.”

From Fox News