Laboratory 3.4 Hepatic Portal Circulation and Blood Vessels of the Lower Limbs

Typical Blood Flow Pathway

Heart to artery to arteriole to capillary bed to venule to vein to heart

Portal Circulation

A circulatory arrangement in which blood drains into an additional capillary bed instead of directly into the venous vasculature: heart to artery to arteriole to capillary bed to portal vein to a second capillary bed to venule to vein to heart

Purpose of Hepatic Portal Circulation

Transports nutrient-rich blood from the gastrointestinal tract to the liver before it enters systemic circulation, allowing the liver to store nutrients (glucose, amino acids, fatty acids) and detoxify wastes or toxins

Hepatic Portal Vein

Formed by blood collected from the GI tract organs, spleen, and pancreas; brings this blood to the liver, where it flows through the liver's capillary beds before draining via the hepatic veins into the inferior vena cava

Inferior Mesenteric Vein

Returns blood from the distal large intestine and joins the splenic vein

Splenic Vein

Returns blood from the spleen, pancreas, and stomach; merges with the hepatic portal vein

Superior Mesenteric Vein

Returns blood from the small intestine and the ascending and transverse colon before joining the hepatic portal vein

Left Gastric Vein

Returns blood from the superior side of the stomach and merges with the hepatic portal vein

Hepatic Sinusoids

The liver's capillary beds through which blood flows, allowing hepatocytes to store nutrients and detoxify chemicals in the blood; blood then flows into venules, the hepatic veins, and the inferior vena cava

Hepatocytes

Liver cells that store nutrients and detoxify chemicals as blood passes through the hepatic sinusoids

Internal Iliac Artery

A branch of the common iliac artery that further branches into the superior and inferior gluteal arteries to deliver blood to the gluteal muscles

External Iliac Artery

A branch of the common iliac artery that brings blood to the lower limb; becomes the femoral artery in the thigh

Femoral Artery

Continuation of the external iliac artery in the thigh; branches into the circumflex femoral artery and deep femoral artery, and becomes the popliteal artery at the knee

Circumflex Femoral Artery

A branch of the femoral artery that supplies the superior femur and posterior thigh muscles (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosus)

Deep Femoral Artery

A branch of the femoral artery that supplies blood to the anterior and posterior thigh muscles

Popliteal Artery

Continuation of the femoral artery in the knee area; divides into the anterior and posterior tibial arteries

Anterior Tibial Artery

Branch of the popliteal artery in the anterior lower leg, supplying the tibialis anterior and extensor muscles; passes through the ankle to become the dorsalis pedis artery

Dorsalis Pedis Artery

Continuation of the anterior tibial artery after passing through the ankle; supplies the dorsal side of the foot

Posterior Tibial Artery

Branch of the popliteal artery that branches into the fibular artery and eventually the lateral and medial plantar arteries

Fibular Artery

A branch of the posterior tibial artery that serves the lateral calf muscles (fibular muscles)

Lateral and Medial Plantar Arteries

Branches of the posterior tibial artery (via the fibular artery pathway) that bring blood to the sole of the foot

Dorsal Venous Arch

Collects blood from the digits and superior surface of the foot; flows into the anterior tibial vein

Plantar Venous Arch

Collects blood from the plantar veins on the bottom of the foot

Anterior Tibial Vein

Returns blood from the tibialis anterior muscle; fed by the dorsal venous arch

Posterior Tibial Vein

Returns blood from the posterior surface of the leg

Fibular Vein (Lower Limb)

Drains the lateral muscles and the fibula

Popliteal Vein

Formed behind the knee by the merging of the anterior tibial, posterior tibial, and fibular veins

Small Saphenous Vein

Drains superficial veins on the lateral side of the distal limb

Great Saphenous Vein

Located on the medial side of the leg; the longest vein in the body, running from the foot to the thigh

Femoral Vein

Formed by the merging of the saphenous veins; also receives blood from the deep femoral vein, femoral circumflex vein, and popliteal vein; becomes the external iliac vein as it passes into the inguinal region

External Iliac Vein

Continuation of the femoral vein as it passes into the inguinal region

Internal Iliac Vein

Receives veins draining the pelvic region

Common Iliac Vein

Formed by the merging of the external and internal iliac veins; flows into the inferior vena cava around L5