Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Superior mesenteric vein
Introduction
In anatomy, the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine (jejunum and ileum). At its termination behind the neck of the pancreas, the SMV combines with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein. The SMV lies to the right of the similarly name artery, the superior mesenteric artery, which originates from the abdominal aorta.
Branches
Branches
Tributaries of the superior mesenteric vein drain the large intestine, stomach, pancreas and appendix and include:
- Right gastro-omental vein (also known as the right gastro-epiploic vein)
- inferior pancreaticoduodenal veins
- veins from jejunum
- veins from ileum
- middle colic vein – drains the transverse colon
- right colic vein – drains the ascending colon
- ileocolic vein
Disorders
Disorders
Thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein is quite rare, but a significant cause of mesenteric ischemia and can be fatal. It is estimated that 10-15% of mesenteric ischemia is due to mesenteric thrombosis.[2]
References
References
- ^ Tessier DJ, Williams RA, Mesenteric ischemic thrombosis, eMedicine, URL: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2753.htm, Accessed July 30, 2005.
External links
External links
- Template:Medcyclopaedia
- Template:SUNYAnatomyLabs – “Intestines and Pancreas: The Superior Mesenteric Vessels”
- Template:SUNYAnatomyImage
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]