ABSTRACT
The splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein join to form the portal vein behind the neck of the pancreas. It enters the two layers of the lesser omentum and runs vertically upward toward the porta hepatis. The inferior mesenteric vein travels behind the lower border of the body of the pancreas in front of the left renal vein to join the splenic vein. The splenic artery arises from the coeliac axis, which also gives off the left gastric and hepatic arteries.
