Absorption. 



i8 7 



and subdivision goes on till the portal vein forms capil- 

 laries branching all through the liver. 



The blood from these capillaries collects again in veins, 

 which unite in one vein, the hepatic vein, which carries 

 the blood into the postcaval vein just under the diaphragm. 



Fig. 82. Diagram of Portal Circulation. 



Going back again to the beginnings of the portal vein, 

 it is clear that it starts from the capillaries of the stomach 

 and intestines. And these capillaries, as we have just seen, 

 absorb the peptones and sugars. The sugars and peptones, 

 therefore, go directly to the liver after being absorbed. 



Double Blood Supply to the Liver. The liver also re- 

 ceives blood from the hepatic artery, a branch of the aorta. 



