Superior mesenteric vein

Superior mesenteric vein
The abdomen viewed from the front, showing the portal venous system, showing the superior mesenteric vein and its tributaries. (Lienal vein is an old term for splenic vein.)
Details
SystemHepatic portal system
Drains toHepatic portal vein
ArterySuperior mesenteric artery
Identifiers
Latinvena mesenterica superior
TA98A12.3.12.018
TA25113
FMA14332
Anatomical terminology

In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine (jejunum and ileum). Behind the neck of the pancreas, the superior mesenteric vein combines with the splenic vein to form the portal vein that carries blood to the liver. The superior mesenteric vein lies to the right of the similarly named artery, the superior mesenteric artery, which originates from the abdominal aorta.