Veins of the small intestine (English)

Overview of the abdomen with the liver reflected, and parts of the stomach, pancreas and large intestine removed. The venous drainage of the small intestine is more variable and less well described than the arterial supply, but tends to generally follow the same pattern as the arteries. The superior mesenteric vein, however, drains into the hepatic portal vein rather than the inferior vena cava. The blood then goes through the portal venous system to the liver, where nutrients and toxins are removed, before being emptied into the inferior vena cava.