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In anatomy, the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine (jejunum and ileum). At its termination behind the neck of the pancreas, the SMV combines with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein. The SMV lies to the right of the similarly name artery, the superior mesenteric artery, which originates from the abdominal aorta.
Branches Tributaries of the superior mesenteric vein drain the large intestine, stomach, pancreas and appendix and include: Disorders Thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein is quite rare, but a significant cause of mesenteric ischemia and can be fatal. It is estimated that 10-15% of mesenteric ischemia is due to mesenteric thrombosis. Reference | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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