The word "portal circulation" denotes the route taken by blood from the digestive system to the liver. In IPA phonetic transcription, it can be written as /ˈpɔr.tl ˌsɜr.kjəˈleɪ.ʃən/. The initial sound of "portal" is pronounced as "paw-tl" with stress on the first syllable. The second part, "circulation," has a stress on the third syllable and is pronounced as "sur-kyuh-ley-shuhn." The spelling of this word reflects its Latin origins, with "portal" referring to a gate or entrance and "circulation" referring to the flow of blood in the body.
Portal circulation refers to a specialized system of blood circulation in the body that involves the movement of blood from one set of capillaries to another set of capillaries without involving the heart. In this circulation, blood is directed through a portal vein, which is a vessel that carries blood from the digestive organs and spleen to the liver.
The portal vein is a major vein that begins in the abdominal cavity and collects nutrient-rich blood from the intestines, stomach, pancreas, and spleen. It delivers this blood to the liver, where it undergoes filtration and processing before being returned to the general circulation.
Once in the liver, the blood flows through a network of tiny blood vessels called sinusoids, which allow exchange of various substances between the blood and liver cells. During this process, the liver removes toxins, metabolizes drugs, and metabolizes nutrients from the blood.
After passing through the liver, the blood then enters the hepatic veins and eventually flows back into the heart, where it mixes with oxygenated blood and is distributed to the rest of the body.
Portal circulation is vital for the proper functioning of the digestion, metabolism, and detoxification processes in the body. It facilitates the transport of nutrients and other substances absorbed from the digestive organs to the liver for processing and detoxification. Additionally, portal circulation acts as a regulatory system for various substances by allowing the liver to selectively filter and modify blood composition before it enters the systemic circulation.
The circulation, within the liver, of the blood brought by the p. vein.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "portal circulation" combines two words: "portal" and "circulation".
1. Portal: The word "portal" comes from the Latin word "porta", meaning "gate" or "entrance". In anatomy, it refers to a specific type of blood vessel called a portal vein, which connects two areas of circulation. The portal vein is the main component of the portal circulation.
2. Circulation: The term "circulation" originates from the Latin word "circulatio", which means "circular motion". In anatomy and physiology, circulation refers to the movement of blood through the various blood vessels within the body.
When combined, "portal circulation" describes the specific pattern of blood flow where blood passes through a portal vein from one set of capillaries (typically in the digestive system) to another set of capillaries (usually in the liver), before returning to the heart through the hepatic veins.