Final answer:
The hepatic portal vein carries deoxygenated, nutrient-rich blood from the intestines to the liver for processing and detoxification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function of a person's hepatic portal vein is to carry blood that is deoxygenated and nutrient-filled from his/her intestines to his/her liver. The hepatic portal vein is an essential part of the hepatic portal system, which plays a crucial role in processing nutrients absorbed from the digestive system before they enter the general circulation. Blood from the gastrointestinal tract, rich in nutrients and partially deoxygenated, travels via the hepatic portal vein to the liver. There, the liver metabolizes the nutrients and detoxifies substances, thereby maintaining stable blood composition. After processing, the blood exits the liver and flows into the inferior vena cava through the hepatic veins.