Corpus: Splenic vein

The splenic vein is the vessel responsible for draining venous blood from the spleen.

The splenic vein is formed by 5 to 6 branches at the hilum of the spleen. It runs alongside the splenic artery within the phrenicolienal ligament, following the upper edge of the pancreas. As it continues, it passes behind the pancreas and merges with the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein.

The splenic vein receives venous blood from the following vessels:

• Short gastric veins
• Pancreatic veins
• Left gastroepiploic vein
• Inferior mesenteric vein

• Drake RL, Vogl W, Mitchell AW: Gray's Anatomy for Students. 1st edition, 2007: Elsevier