Splenic vein
The splenic vein drains the spleen, part of the pancreas, and part of the stomach.
Gross anatomy
Origin and course
The splenic vein is formed by splenic tributaries emerging at the splenic hilum in the splenorenal ligament at the tip of the tail of pancreas. It runs in the splenorenal ligament in close association with the splenic artery.
Behind the neck of the pancreas, it confluences with the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein.
Relations
- superiorly: splenic artery
- anteriorly: pancreas
- posteriorly: left kidney, left crus of diaphragm (separated by left renal vessels), left psoas muscle, left sympathetic trunk, and the abdominal aorta (separated by superior mesenteric artery and left renal vein)
Tributaries
- short gastric veins
- left gastroepiploic vein
- inferior mesenteric vein
- pancreatic veins
Related pathology
The splenic vein is a site of porto-systemic anastomoses via the splenorenal shunt.
