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What is the Splenic Vein?

Sandra Koehler
Sandra Koehler

The splenic vein, also referred to as the lineal vein, is a blood vessel which carries blood from the spleen to the heart. The spleen is an organ of the lymphatic system of the body, which is responsible for maintaining fluid balance. The spleen, located under the ribs on the left side of the body and above the stomach, not only plays a vital role in fluid balance and infection control, it assists in the regulation of blood, both the quantity and the content, by destroying old or damaged blood cells.

This blood vessel is formed by the joining of several smaller vessels on the anterior surface of the spleen. The splenic vein then travels to the pancreas, a gland which produces and secretes several vital hormones such as insulin and digestive enzymes, in order to maintain the body’s homeostasis or balance. The splenic vein then unites with the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein. The portal vein is responsible for pumping blood out of the spleen and the gastrointestinal tract.

The splenic vein connects the spleen and the heart.
The splenic vein connects the spleen and the heart.

Problems can occur when there is a change in blood flow within the splenic vein. This can lead to portal hypertension, a condition in which increased pressure is created from a slowing or a blockage of the blood out of the spleen. The buildup of blood pressure can then cause a decrease in the amount of blood draining from the spleen and returning to the heart. This condition can be caused by problems with the liver, such as cirrhosis or scarring of the liver, which affects the merging blood vessels, or by such things as parasitic infections and blood clots.

Troubles with blood flow through the splenic vein can be caused by problems with the liver, such as cirrhosis.
Troubles with blood flow through the splenic vein can be caused by problems with the liver, such as cirrhosis.

A thrombosis, or blood clot, in the splenic vein or conjoining blood vessels can lead to a partial or complete occlusion or blockage of the normal flow of blood. The most common cause for this condition is chronic pancreatitis or inflammation of the pancreas, but it can also be caused by surgical procedures in and around the area of the splenic vein, lymphoma, or cancer of the lymphatic system or in the pancreas, and an occlusion in the portal vein. This slowing or stoppage of blood flow can disrupt the homeostasis of the body.

The spleen is located on the left side of the body below the ribs and is important in infection control and fluid balance.
The spleen is located on the left side of the body below the ribs and is important in infection control and fluid balance.

A blood clot which breaks free is called an embolism. An embolism can move through the blood vessels such as the splenic vein, causing a blockage of the flow of blood in another part of the body. This can be a life-threatening condition if the clot travels to the heart or lungs.

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    • The splenic vein connects the spleen and the heart.
      By: snapgalleria
      The splenic vein connects the spleen and the heart.
    • Troubles with blood flow through the splenic vein can be caused by problems with the liver, such as cirrhosis.
      By: peterjunaidy
      Troubles with blood flow through the splenic vein can be caused by problems with the liver, such as cirrhosis.
    • The spleen is located on the left side of the body below the ribs and is important in infection control and fluid balance.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      The spleen is located on the left side of the body below the ribs and is important in infection control and fluid balance.
    • Lymphoma may cause a clot in the splenic vein.
      By: joshya
      Lymphoma may cause a clot in the splenic vein.
    • Blood tests may be performed to diagnose thrombosis.
      By: Alexander Gospodinov
      Blood tests may be performed to diagnose thrombosis.
    • Inflammation of the pancreas may cause a blood clot in the splenic vein.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Inflammation of the pancreas may cause a blood clot in the splenic vein.
    • The spleen is an accessory organ to digestion and is positioned in the abdominopelvic cavity.
      By: maya2008
      The spleen is an accessory organ to digestion and is positioned in the abdominopelvic cavity.
    • Any blood vessel that returns blood to the heart is a vein.
      By: 7activestudio
      Any blood vessel that returns blood to the heart is a vein.