C h a p t e r 3 0
Disorders of Hepatobiliary and Exocrine Pancreas Function
725
supply through the hepatic artery. Approximately 300
mL of blood per minute enters the liver through the
hepatic artery; another 1050 mL/min enters by way of
the valveless portal vein.
1
The venous blood delivered
by the hepatic portal vein comes from the digestive tract
and major abdominal organs, including the pancreas
and spleen (Fig. 30-2). The portal blood supply carries
nutrient and toxic materials absorbed in the intestine,
blood cells and their breakdown products from the
spleen, and insulin and glucagon from the pancreas.
Although the blood from the portal vein is incompletely
saturated with oxygen, it supplies approximately 60%
to 70% of the oxygen needs of the liver. The venous
outflow from the liver is carried by the valveless hepatic
Diaphragm
Liver
Gallbladder
Cystic duct
Common
bile duct
Ampulla of Vater
Sphincter of Oddi
Duodenum
Head of the pancreas
Pancreatic duct
Tail of the
pancreas
Hepatic duct
Spleen
FIGURE 30-1.
The liver and biliary system, including the gallbladder and bile ducts.
Inferior vena cava
Cystic
Pyloric
Portal
Superior
mesenteric
Hepatic veins
Short gastric
Coronary (gastric)
Left
gastroepiploic
Right
gastroepiploic
Splenic
Pancreatic
Inferior
mesenteric
FIGURE 30-2.
The portal circulation.
Blood from the gastrointestinal tract,
spleen, and pancreas travels to the liver
through the portal vein before moving
into the vena cava for return to the
heart.
