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Splenic Vein
Cardiovascular System

Splenic Vein

Vena splenica

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Quick Facts

Origin: Union of several splenic branches at the hilum of the spleen.

Course: Horizontal course, posterior to the body of the pancreas. Unites with superior mesenteric vein to form the hepatic portal vein.

Tributaries: Several segmental branches of the splenic vein, short gastric, left gastroomental, posterior gastric, and pancreatic veins.

Drainage: Spleen, pancreas, and stomach.

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Origin

The splenic vein is formed at the hilum of the spleen by the union of several segmental branches, within the lienorenal ligament.

Course

The splenic vein travels retroperitoneally and parallel to the body and tail of the pancreas. Posterior to the neck of the pancreas, the splenic vein unites with the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein.

Tributaries

Multiple segmental branches of the splenic vein unite to form the splenic vein.

Short gastric, the left gastroomental, and pancreatic veins drain into the splenic vein directly or into the segmental branches. Along its course, the splenic vein also receives the posterior gastric vein.

Supplied Structures

Several splenic tributaries unite to form the splenic vein at the hilum of the spleen. The left gastroepiploic vein empties into the splenic vein within the gastrosplenic ligament. Three to five short gastric veins drain the fundus and the upper part of the greater curvature of the stomach. In approximately one third of individuals, the left gastric vein terminates at the splenic vein (Ohkubo, 2000).

List of Clinical Correlates

-Opitz (thrombophlebitic splenomegaly)

- Portal hypertension

References

Ohkubo, M. (2000) 'Aberrant left gastric vein directly draining into the liver', Clin Anat, 13(2), pp. 134-7.

Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products

Splenic Vein

ScienceDirect image

The splenic vein is the vein of the foregut and drains the lower end of the esophagus, as well as the stomach, pancreas, and first portion of the duodenum.

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The world's most advanced 3D anatomy platform

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