Gastric vein

Gastric vein

The portal vein and its tributaries. The gastric veins are visible at the center.

The gastric veins are blood vessels that drain blood from the stomach to the portal vein. They are part of the portal venous system, which carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver.

Anatomy

The gastric veins consist of the right and left gastric veins. The right gastric vein drains the lesser curvature of the stomach and empties directly into the portal vein. The left gastric vein drains the upper part of the lesser curvature and empties into the splenic vein, which then joins the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein.

Clinical significance

The gastric veins can be involved in several medical conditions. For example, in portal hypertension, the increased pressure in the portal venous system can cause the gastric veins to dilate and form esophageal varices, which can rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding.

See also

• Portal vein
• Stomach
• Portal hypertension
• Esophageal varices