41. Thus, it acts as collaterals between the portal veins and the systemic venous system of the lower esophagus ( azygous vein ). 42. Blood clotting in the hepatic portal vein can cause portal hypertension, which results in a decrease of blood fluid to the liver. 43. At its termination behind the neck of the pancreas, the SMV combines with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein . 44. The body and neck of the pancreas drain into the splenic vein; the head drains into the superior mesenteric and portal veins . 45. His wife, Joan, a nurse, rushed him to UMass Memorial, where doctors discovered the bleeding was coming from his liver's portal vein . 46. The persistent part of the upper venous ring, above the opening of the superior mesenteric vein, forms the trunk of the portal vein . 47. The renal portal valve is situated between the renal portal vein and the common iliac vein which leads to the posterior vena cava. 48. One of these branches joins with the hepatic portal vein ( connecting to its left branch ), which carries blood into the liver. 49. The glucose and galactose are rapidly absorbed by the mucosa of the small intestine into the portal vein , mostly ending up in liver cells. 50. The portal vein is not a true vein, because it conducts blood to capillary beds in the liver and not directly to the heart.
