Splenic Vein

What is your splenic vein?

Your splenic vein is a large blood vessel that carries blood from your spleen, pancreas and parts of your stomach to your portal vein. It’s part of your hepatic portal system, which includes your portal vein and mesenteric veins.

Your splenic vein joins with your superior mesenteric vein to form your portal vein. From your portal vein, your blood drains into your liver. There, your liver filters and processes your blood before returning it to your heart for recirculation through your body.

What does your splenic vein do?

Your splenic vein’s main function is to transport blood processed by your spleen. Your spleen filters out damaged red blood cells, removes certain infectious organisms from your blood and adds infection-fighting white blood cells to your blood. After receiving blood from your spleen, your splenic vein carries it to your portal vein. Your portal vein then moves your blood to your liver for further cleaning.

By transporting this blood to your liver through the hepatic portal system, your splenic vein helps keep your blood healthy. This combined effort is vital for your body to function correctly and receive the right nutrients.

Where is it located?

Your splenic vein is in your belly, tucked behind your stomach and near your spleen. It runs from your spleen, which is on your left side under your ribs, toward the middle of your belly.

What are the parts of the splenic vein?

Various smaller vessels form your splenic vein as they leave your spleen. These smaller veins are called tributaries. Tributaries that empty into your splenic vein include:

• Short gastric veins: Drain blood from the top of your stomach.
• Left gastro-omental vein: Drains blood from the greater curvature of your stomach.
• Pancreatic veins: Drain blood from your pancreas.
• Inferior (toward the bottom or away from your head) mesenteric vein: Drains blood from your colon.

What are the common conditions and disorders that affect the splenic vein?

The most common diseases or conditions that can affect your splenic vein include problems related to blood flow. Problems with blood flow in your splenic vein can lead to issues with your spleen and nearby organs. Some of these conditions include:

• Splenic vein thrombosis: When a blood clot forms in your splenic vein.
• Portal hypertension: A condition associated with advanced liver disease that causes high pressure in your portal and splenic vein.
• Splenomegaly: An enlarged spleen, usually from blood disorders or infectious diseases.
• Gastrointestinal varices: Dilation of several veins in your stomach, esophagus, spleen and pancreas.
• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of your pancreas that can cause blood clots in your splenic vein.
• Pancreatic cancer: Cancer that typically starts in the ducts of your pancreas.

Are there some tests you can have to check the health of your vein?

There are several tests and scans your provider can use to check the health of your splenic vein and the diseases it’s associated with. Diagnostic methods include:

• Blood tests.
• CT scan.
• Endoscopy.
• Liver function tests.
• MRI.
• Splenoportography.
• Ultrasound.
• Venography.

What can I do to keep my splenic vein working properly?

Keeping your splenic vein working properly requires lifestyle habits and medical strategies that promote good vascular health. Preventing conditions that can lead to complications like splenic vein thrombosis or portal hypertension will also help.

Here are some general guidelines:

• Eat healthy foods.
• Limit your salt and sugar intake.
• Exercise regularly.
• Avoid drinking too much alcohol.
• Protect yourself from hepatitis viruses (associated with unprotected sexual intercourse or IV drug use).
• Manage chronic conditions.
• Avoid smoking.
• Stay hydrated by drinking water throughout the day.
• Get regular medical checkups.
• Be careful with medications and supplements.
• Seek medical care immediately if you have unexplained stomach pains or swelling. 

What’s the difference between the splenic vein and the artery?

Your splenic artery delivers oxygen-rich blood to your spleen, while your splenic vein takes used blood away from your spleen to your liver for processing. Basically, your artery brings in fresh blood, and your vein carries out your old blood.