Portal vein

The portal vein is a vital blood vessel in the liver that carries blood rich in nutrients from the digestive organs—like the stomach and intestines—to the liver. This allows the liver to process nutrients, remove toxins, and regulate blood composition before the blood re-enters the general circulation. Essentially, it acts as a plumbing system that directs nutrient-laden blood from the gut to the liver for processing, playing a critical role in metabolism and detoxification.