portalæðakerfið
The portalæðakerfið, also known as the portal venous system, is a unique circulatory pathway within the body. It is a system of veins that drains blood from one capillary bed and delivers it to another capillary bed without passing through the heart first. The primary portal system in the human body is the hepatic portal system. This system collects blood from the gastrointestinal tract, including the stomach, intestines, and spleen, and transports it directly to the liver. In the liver, this nutrient-rich blood passes through sinusoids, a type of capillary, where the liver can process absorbed nutrients, detoxify harmful substances, and filter pathogens.
The hepatic portal system is crucial for digestion and metabolism. It allows the liver to receive the