Liver Vasculature Flashcards
What is the largest organ in the human body?
The liver.
Where does the liver lie?
It lies in the intraperitoneal cavity.
What does the liver do?
- It plays an essential role in all metabolic processes in the body
- It filters and detoxifies the blood and helps regulate blood volume.
- It helps dispose of old RBC and manufacture new ones
- Processes blood coming from the bowel via portal system.
- The liver produces proteins necessary for blood clotting
What is a major by-product of the broken red blood cells in the liver?
Bile.
What is bile?
It is an emulsifier of fat that aids in digestion.
What type of blood supply does the liver have?
It has a dual blood supply.
What does the dual blood supply in the liver consist of?
- Hepatic artery supploes approx. 30% of blood flow.
- Portal vein supplies aprox. 70% of blood flow (nutrient rich) from the gastrointestinal tract.
The hepatic artery and portal vein comprise the___________.
The hepatic inflow
What does the portal triad consist of?
It is comprised of branches of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct.
Where does the main portal vein begin at?
It begins at the confluence of the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein.
Where does the portal veins lie?
Anterior to the IVC
What happens to the portal vein upon entering the porta hepatis?
The MPV divides into the left portal vein and right portal vein
What are the anatomy of the RPV (Right Portal Vein)?
- Typically larger
- Posterior and caudal
- Divides into anterior and posterior branches
What is the anatomy of the LPV (Left Portal Vein)?
- Anterior and cranial
- Divides into medial and lateral branches.
What are the characteristics of the portal veins?
- Conatins NO valves
- Bright, echogenic walls due to thick collagenous tissue
- Course intrasegmentally
What does hepatopetal mean?
Towards the liver.
What does hepatofugal mean?
Away from the liver
What are the 3 main hepatic veins?
Right, middle and left hepatic veins.
What veins are the primary outflow for the liver?
Hepatic veins.
What do the hepatic veins drain into?
They drain into the IVC, near the right atrium.
What are the characterisitics of the hepatic veins?
- Contains NO valves
- Thin-walled vessels
- Courses intersegmentally.
Which is the largest of the 3 hepatic veins?
The right hepatic vein is typically the largest.