Splenic vein
Last revised by Sonam Vadera ◉ on 29 Aug 2019
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Shetty A, Vadera S, Robertson S, et al. Splenic vein. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 26 Sep 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-27264
rID:
27264
Article created:
25 Jan 2014, Aditya Shetty
Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Aditya Shetty had no recorded disclosures.
View Aditya Shetty's current disclosuresLast revised:
29 Aug 2019, Sonam Vadera ◉
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Sonam Vadera had no recorded disclosures.
View Sonam Vadera's current disclosuresRevisions:
13 times, by 8 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures
Systems:
Sections:
The splenic vein drains the spleen, part of the pancreas, and part of the stomach.
Gross anatomy
Origin and course
The splenic vein is formed by splenic tributaries emerging at the splenic hilum in the splenorenal ligament at the tip of the tail of pancreas. It runs in the splenorenal ligament in close association with the splenic artery.
Behind the neck of the pancreas, it confluences with the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein.
Relations
- superiorly: splenic artery
- anteriorly: pancreas
- posteriorly: left kidney, left crus of diaphragm (separated by left renal vessels), left psoas muscle, left sympathetic trunk, and the abdominal aorta (separated by superior mesenteric artery and left renal vein)
Tributaries
Related pathology
The splenic vein is a site of porto-systemic anastomoses via the splenorenal shunt.
References
- 1. Drake RL, Vogl AW, Mitchell AWM. Gray's Anatomy for Students: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, 2e. Churchill Livingstone. ISBN:0443069522. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Snell RS. Clinical Anatomy by Regions. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN:160913446X. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 3. Last RJ, & McMinn RMH. (1994). Last's anatomy, regional and applied. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone
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