Final answer:
The hepatic portal vein is responsible for transporting nutrient-rich blood from the intestines to the liver. This vessel is part of the hepatic portal system that ensures the liver can process and store nutrients and detoxify the blood before it enters systemic circulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The blood supply source for the liver that transports nutrient-rich blood from the intestines to the liver is known as the hepatic portal vein. This vein collects nutrient-rich blood from the small intestine, which is the primary site of absorption, and delivers it to the liver. Within the liver, these nutrients are processed or stored, and waste products are filtered out. The hepatic portal system is a vital component of the cardiovascular system because it ensures that all blood from the alimentary canal passes through the liver for detoxification and nutrient processing before rejoining the systemic circulation.
The liver has a unique blood supply; it receives blood from the normal systemic circulation via the hepatic artery and the nutrient-rich deoxygenated blood from the hepatic portal vein. After processing this blood, the liver releases necessary nutrients back into the bloodstream through the central vein and hepatic veins that flow into the inferior vena cava.