Superior mesenteric vein

Vein: Superior mesenteric vein
The portal vein and its tributaries. The superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein. Leinal vein is an old term for splenic vein. Anatomical position.
The pancreas and duodenum from behind.
Latin	vena mesenterica superior
Gray's	subject #174 682
Drains to	hepatic portal vein
Artery	superior mesenteric artery
Dorlands / Elsevier	v_05/12851033

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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

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

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

1. ^ Tessier DJ, Williams RA, Mesenteric ischemic thrombosis, eMedicine, URL: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic2753.htm, Accessed July 30, 2005.

External links

• ii/m/MESENTERIC_VEIN_SUPERIOR article at GE's Medcyclopaedia
• SUNY Labs 39:02-0102 - "Intestines and Pancreas: The Superior Mesenteric Vessels"
• SUNY Anatomy Image 8696