Hepatic vein

The hepatic veins are the venous drainage pathways of the liver. In addition to the self-blood of the liver (via the hepatic artery communis) also transport the blood from the portal vein to the inferior vena cava and thereby the systemic circulation.

The system of the hepatic veins begins with the central veins of hepatic lobules. These unite to form larger and larger veins. In humans, usually to three major hepatic veins:

• Vena hepatica sinistra (left hepatic vein, the blood passes from the left lobe of the liver )
• Vena hepatica media ( middle hepatic vein, the blood passes from the caudate lobe ) and
• Vena hepatic artery (right hepatic vein, the blood passes from the right lobe of the liver ).

These branches flowing in front of the inferior vena cava to the diaphragm, which often combine the left and center previously to a common root.

Ultrasonography to ask the hepatic veins - in contrast to the Pfortaderästen - usually without significant limitation dar. linings of the hepatic veins lead to portal hypertension (→ Budd -Chiari syndrome).