Innovation Pharmaceuticals Inc (IPIX)

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https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/liver-gallbladder-and-hepatic-portal-system#2


The hepatic portal system is a series of veins that carry blood from the capillaries of the stomach, intestine, spleen, and pancreas to capillaries in the liver. It is part of the body’s filtration system. Its main function is to deliver de-oxygenated blood to the liver to be detoxified further before it returns to the heart.

The hepatic portal system consists of:

Hepatic portal vein: This is the main vein connected to the liver. It forms at the connection of the inferior and superior mesenteric veins.
Inferior mesenteric vein: This vein takes blood from the colon and rectum and connects with the portal vein.
Superior mesenteric vein: This drains blood from the small intestine and connects with the hepatic portal vein.
Gastrosplenic vein: This tributary is formed by the union of the splenic vein from the spleen and the gastric vein from the stomach. It joins with the mesenteric vein inside the pancreas.
The hepatic portal system is designed to rid the body of toxins, and it cannot detect those that are designed to help it. Some drugs must be taken under the tongue, through the skin, or via suppository to avoid entering the hepatic portal system and being prematurely metabolized in the liver before reaching general circulation.

Last medically reviewed on January 20, 2018

Medically reviewed by the Healthline Medical Network — Written by the Healthline Editorial Team on January 20, 2018