Portal Venous System Flashcards
what drains the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, pancreas, and gall bladder?
the portal venous system
what nutrients are picked up by the portal venous system?
all but FAT
what are fats picked up by?
lymphatics vessels called lacteals
how does blood flow in the portal venous system/
organs–> tributaries of the portal vein –> portal vein, which divides into left and right branches –> liver sinusoids—> Caval system via hepatic veins
how does the blood flow in the Caval system?
body wall and organs—> tributaries of the inferior and superior vena cava–> inferior and superior vena cava
what forms the portal vein?
the union of the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein
what are the tributaries of the Portal Vein?
splenic, superior mesenteric, left gastric, paraumbilical
cirrhosis of the liver is what?
characterized by the destruction of hepatic cells and the their replacement by fibrous tissue and fat
what is the most common visceral organ for the metastisi of colon cancer?
the liver
what happens to the liver in cirrhosis?
the liver becomes nodular and hard and tends to constrict the portal vein, causing portal hypertension
what causes portal hypertension?
cirrhosis of the liver
what are some causes of liver cirrhosis?
- ) alcoholism
- ) hepatitis
- ) chronic obstruction of the bile duct
- ) CHF
what is portal hypertension?
an abnormal elevation of pressure within the portal system, often due to cirrhosis of the liver
where is the portal vein constricted?
the porta hepatsis
does the portal system have valves?
no
where are locations of portal-caval anastamoses?
- ) distal esophagus
- ) around umbilicus
- ) rectum and anal canal
what are the veins that can lead to a portal- caval anastaomes in the esophagus?
caval vein- esophageal
portal vein- left gastric
what are the veins that can lead to a portal- caval anastaomes around the umbilicus?
caval- superficial veins of the anterior abdominal wall
portal- paraumbilical
what are the veins that can lead to a portal- caval anastaomes in the rectum and anal canal?
caval- middle and inferior rectal
portal- superior rectal
what is the sign of a portal- caval anastomoses in the distal esophagus?
esophageal varices
what is the sign of a portal- caval anastomoses around the umbilicus?
caput medusa ( if this sign shows up the case is very bad)
what is the sign of a portal- caval anastomoses in the rectum and anal canal regoin?
hemorrhoids
can esophageal varices be fatal?
true they can rupture and cause fatal bleeding
