SPLENIC VEIN. 



345 



pancreas, to terminate in the splenic vein. Its hsemorrhoidal branches 

 inosculate with the branches of the internal iliac vein, and thus 

 establish a communication between the portal and general venous 

 system. 



The Superior mesenteric vein is formed by branches which col- 

 lect the venous blood from the capillaries of the superior mesenteric 

 artery ; they constitute by their junction a large trunk which 

 ascends by the side of the corresponding artery, crosses the trans- 

 verse duodenum, and unites behind the pancreas with the splenic in 

 the formation of the portal vein. 



Fig. 122 * 



The Splenic vein commences in the structure of the spleen, and 

 quits that organ by several large veins ; it is larger than the splenic 

 artery, and perfectly straight in its course. It passes horizontally 

 inwards behind the pancreas, and terminates near its greater end by 

 uniting with the superior mesenteric and forming the portal vein. It 



* The portal vein. 1. The inferior mesenteric vein: it is traced by means of dotted 

 lines behind the pancreas (2) to terminate in the splenic vein (3). 4. The spleen. 5. 

 Gastric veins, opening into the splenic vein. 6. The superior mesenteric vein. 7. The 

 descending portion of the duodenum. 8. Its transverse portion, which is crossed by 

 the superior mesenteric vein and by a part of the trunk of the superior mesenteric 

 artery. 9. The portal vein. 10. The hepatic artery. 11. The duclus communis 

 choledochus. 12. The divisions of the duct and vessels at the transverse fissure of the 

 liver. 13. The cystic duct leading to the gall-bladder. 



44 



