TA A12.3.12.018 | Dorlands/Elsevier v_05/12851033 FMA 14332 | |
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Latin vena mesenterica superior | ||
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 anatomical right of the similarly named artery, the superior mesenteric artery, which originates from the abdominal aorta.
Contents
Tributaries
Tributaries of the superior mesenteric vein drain the small intestine, large intestine, stomach, pancreas and appendix and include:
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.[1]
References
Superior mesenteric vein Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA