Question

Your next patient is scheduled for an ultrasound evaluation of the portal vein. What are normal flow characteristics of that vessel?

a) *Hepatofugal :into the liver; bidirectional and phasic.
b) *Hepatopetal: into the liver; minimally phasic and almost continuous.
c) *Hepatofugal: out of the liver; bidirectional and phasic.
d) *Hepatopetal: into the liver; bidirectional and phasic.
e) *Hepatopetal or hepatofugal depending on the normal metabolic demands of the liver.

Answer 1

The normal flow in the portal vein is hepatopetal, directing blood into the liver with a flow pattern that is minimally phasic and almost continuous, facilitating constant liver processing. The correct option is b.

Step-by-step explanation:

Normal flow characteristics of the portal vein include hepatopetal flow, which means the blood is flowing into the liver. This flow is usually minimally phasic and almost continuous, reflecting the constant delivery of nutrients and blood from the digestive organs to the liver for processing.

The hepatic artery delivers oxygenated blood to the liver, while the portal vein carries partially deoxygenated blood with substances absorbed from the alimentary canal, which passes through the liver as part of the hepatic portal circulation. After the liver processes these substances, the nutrient-rich blood is released back into circulation via the hepatic veins to the inferior vena cava. Hence, b is the correct option.