Vessel
Hepatic veins
Liver outflow entering the inferior vena cava
High-yield
Major hepatic veins commonly run along boundaries between hepatic territories; portal pedicles run within them. Caudate drainage includes small veins entering the cava directly.
Overview
Blood leaving hepatic sinusoids collects into progressively larger veins. The principal right, middle and left hepatic veins then reach the inferior vena cava near the diaphragm, accompanied by variable smaller veins with separate caval openings.
Reference facts
- Origin
- Collect blood from central veins and larger intrahepatic venous channels.
- Course
- Major trunks approach the posterior liver and enter the cava after a short extrahepatic course.
- Branches
- Right, middle and left principal veins; middle and left often share a terminal trunk, and smaller accessory veins are variable.
- Supplies
- These veins drain hepatic tissue after portal and arterial blood mix in the sinusoids.
- Drains to
- The inferior vena cava, chiefly just below the diaphragm.
Clinical correlation
Obstruction of hepatic venous outflow can cause hepatic congestion and ascites, as in Budd–Chiari syndrome. Patterns of accessory and caudate drainage influence which areas retain an effective outflow route.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the hepatic veins originate?
The hepatic veins arise from the collect blood from central veins and larger intrahepatic venous channels.
What do the hepatic veins supply?
The hepatic veins supply the these veins drain hepatic tissue after portal and arterial blood mix in the sinusoids.
Where do blood from the hepatic veins go?
The inferior vena cava, chiefly just below the diaphragm.
What are the branches of the hepatic veins?
Right, middle and left principal veins; middle and left often share a terminal trunk, and smaller accessory veins are variable.