Which of the Following is True of the Hepatic Portal

Question

Which of the following is true of the hepatic portal system?
A) Hepatic sinusoids deliver blood to the portal vein.
B) The hepatic veins drain into the portal vein.
C) The hepatic veins and hepatic artery merge to form the portal vein.
D) The hepatic portal system delivers blood rich in digestive end products to the liver.

Accepted Answer

The hepatic portal system delivers blood rich in digestive end products (such as glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids) from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver for processing and storage. It is composed of the portal vein, which is formed by the convergence of the splenic and superior mesenteric veins, and hepatic sinusoids, which are specialized capillaries in the liver that receive blood from the portal vein. The hepatic veins, on the other hand, drain deoxygenated blood from the liver and merge to form the inferior vena cava, which returns blood to the heart. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.