What are the splanchnic veins?

The splanchnic circulation consists of the blood supply to the gastrointestinal tract, liver, spleen, and pancreas. It consists of two large capillary beds partially in series. The small splanchnic arterial branches supply the capillary beds, and then the efferent venous blood flows into the PV.

What’s splanchnic circulation?

The term ‘splanchnic circulation’ describes the blood flow to the abdominal gastrointestinal organs including the stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, and large intestine.

Where is the splanchnic vein?

The splenic vein (formerly the lienal vein) is a blood vessel that drains blood from the spleen, the stomach fundus and part of the pancreas. It is part of the hepatic portal system. The splenic vein, here called the “lienal vein”, travels from the spleen, above the pancreas, and ends in the portal vein.

What is meant by splanchnic vasodilation?

Splanchnic vasodilation is responsible for the hypoperfusion of the renal system which leads to the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and to fluid retention. Diuretics are the pivotal drugs in the control of ascites.

What type of nerves are splanchnic?

Splanchnic nerves are bilateral visceral autonomic nerves. The thoracic, lumbar and sacral splanchnic nerves are sympathetic in function while the pelvic splanchnic nerves are parasympathetic. These nerves have connections to the celiac, aortic, mesenteric, hypogastric and pelvic plexuses.

What is the function of splanchnic nerves?

The greater splanchnic nerve helps with the motility of the foregut and provides sympathetic innervation to the adrenal medulla. Specifically, it supplies the alimentary canal, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, adrenal medulla, and the spleen.

Which structures are part of the splanchnic circulation?

The splanchnic circulation is composed of gastric, small intestinal, colonic, pancreatic, hepatic, and splenic circulations, arranged in parallel with one another.

What is splanchnic vasodilation?

What is the function of the splenic vein?

The splenic vein is a large vessel located retroperitoneally in the upper part of the abdominal cavity. The main function of this blood vessel is to drain the venous blood from the spleen. In addition to the spleen, it drains parts of the stomach, pancreas and the hindgut.

Why does splanchnic vasodilation occur?

An increased production or activation of vasodilatory mediators and systems, and a decreased vascular reactivity to vasoconstrictors (Figure ​1), are probably responsible for this splanchnic hyperaemia (vasodilation).