Deck 10: The Portal Venous System

Question 1

The portal vein

A) supplies blood for detoxification.
B) supplies blood for liver function.
C) removes blood from the liver.
D) drains into the inferior vena cava.

Answer 1

A
The portal system is unique, because it carries blood and nutrients from the bowel and abdominal organs to the liver for metabolism and detoxification.

Question 2

The portal triad is located

A) throughout the liver.
B) in several places in the liver.
C) at the opening of the liver.
D) none of the above

Answer 2

A
The portal triad is made up of hepatic arteries, bile ducts, and portal veins; it spreads throughout the lobes and segments of the liver.

Question 3

COMPLETION
Identify the echogenicity of the structures as anechoic (A), low level echoes (B), medium-level echoes (C), or high level echoes (D).
Head of the pancreas ____

Answer 3

C
The normal pancreatic head demonstrates a medium-level echo pattern on ultrasound.

Question 4

COMPLETION
Identify the echogenicity of the structures as anechoic (A), low level echoes (B), medium-level echoes (C), or high level echoes (D).
Hepatic artery walls ____

Question 5

COMPLETION
Identify the echogenicity of the structures as anechoic (A), low level echoes (B), medium-level echoes (C), or high level echoes (D).
Superior mesenteric vein walls ____

Question 6

In a transverse scanning plane, the main portal vein initially appears in an axial section as an oval, anechoic structure. ____

Question 7

COMPLETION
Identify the echogenicity of the structures as anechoic (A), low level echoes (B), medium-level echoes (C), or high level echoes (D).
Portal venous walls ____

Question 8

The union of the superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein is best appreciated in a transverse scanning plane. ____

Question 9

The medial branch of the left portal vein is easier to visualize than the lateral branch. ____

Question 10

COMPLETION
Identify the echogenicity of the structures as anechoic (A), low level echoes (B), medium-level echoes (C), or high level echoes (D).
Hepatic artery lumen ____

Question 11

COMPLETION
Identify the echogenicity of the structures as anechoic (A), low level echoes (B), medium-level echoes (C), or high level echoes (D).
Superior mesenteric vein lumen ____

Question 12

COMPLETION
Identify the echogenicity of the structures as anechoic (A), low level echoes (B), medium-level echoes (C), or high level echoes (D).
Normal liver ____

Question 13

COMPLETION
Identify the echogenicity of the structures as anechoic (A), low level echoes (B), medium-level echoes (C), or high level echoes (D).
Inferior vena cava lumen ____

Question 14

The bifurcation of the left portal vein is best seen in a sagittal scanning plane. ____

Question 15

After the main portal vein forms, the vessel courses

A) superiorly for 5 to 6 cm and then branches into the right and left branches.
B) laterally for 7 to 8 cm and then branches into the medial and lateral branches.
C) medially for 3 to 4 cm and then branches into the anterior and posterior branches.
D) inferiorly for 5 to 6 cm and then branches into the anterior and posterior branches.

Question 16

Where does the portal vein form in the body?

A) At the tail of the pancreas
B) At the left lobe of the liver
C) Near the head of the pancreas
D) Where it first enters the liver

Question 17

What happens to the right and left portal vein branches?

A) The right branches into medial and lateral segments, and the left branches into anterior and posterior segments.
B) The right branches into superior and inferior segments, and the left branches into anterior and posterior segments.
C) The right branches into anterior and posterior segments, and the left branches into medial and lateral segments.
D) The right branches into anterior and posterior segments, and the left branches into superior and inferior segments.

Question 18

Tributaries of the portal vein include which vessels?

A) Right and left gastric veins and pancreaticoduodenal veins
B) Splenic and superior and inferior mesenteric veins
C) Gastroepiploic and right and left gastric veins
D) All of the above

Question 19

The bifurcation of the right portal vein is best seen in a sagittal scanning plane. ____

Question 20

The normal main portal vein measures up to

A) 5 cm in diameter and 3 to 4 cm long.
B) 5 cm in diameter and 5 to 6 cm long.
C) 13 mm in diameter and 5 to 6 cm long.
D) 10 cm in diameter and 3 to 4 cm long.