The hepatic portal vein is a vessel that moves blood from the | Healthy Life Lab👨‍⚕

The hepatic portal vein is a vessel that moves blood from the spleen and gastrointestinal tract to the liver. It is approximately three to four inches in length and is usually formed by the merging of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins behind the upper edge of the head of the pancreas.

Abnormally high blood pressure in the portal vein is known as portal hypertension. The condition may cause the growth of new blood vessels that bypass the liver, which can result in the circulation of unfiltered blood throughout the body. Portal hypertension is one of the potential serious complications of liver cirrhosis, which is a condition where normal liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue.