The splenic vein is a large retroperitoneal vessel of the hepatic portal system that joins the superior mesenteric vein to form the hepatic portal vein.
Drains venous blood from the spleen, parts of the stomach, and the pancreas into the hepatic portal circulation for processing by the liver.
Upper abdomen, coursing rightward from the hilum of the spleen posterior to the body and tail of the pancreas.
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Systemic veins empty into the right atrium, while pulmonary veins return oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium.
The hepatic portal venous network carries absorbed nutrients from the digestive organs directly to the liver for metabolic processing.
Lymphatic vessels return excess interstitial fluid collected from tissues back into the venous circulation.