Anatomical Location of the Splenic Vein
Yes, the splenic vein is located on the same side of the body as the portal vein and hepatic veins—all three vessels are intra-abdominal structures that exist bilaterally within the central abdomen and liver, not confined to left or right body sides.
Portal Venous System Anatomy
The splenic vein, portal vein, and hepatic veins form an interconnected venous drainage system within the abdomen:
The portal vein is formed by the confluence of the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein behind the neck of the pancreas, creating the main portal trunk that enters the liver 1, 2, 3.
The splenic vein drains the spleen and courses along the posterior aspect of the pancreas before joining the superior mesenteric vein 4, 1.
The hepatic veins drain blood from the liver directly into the inferior vena cava, representing the outflow system from hepatic parenchyma 5.
Spatial Relationship Within the Body
These vessels do not occupy "sides" of the body in the traditional sense of laterality:
The portal vein and its tributaries (including the splenic vein) are located in the porta hepatis and course through central abdominal structures 4, 5.
The hepatic veins are intrahepatic structures that drain into the central inferior vena cava 5.
While the spleen itself is a left upper quadrant organ, the splenic vein courses medially across the midline to join the superior mesenteric vein, forming the portal vein in a central location 1, 2.
Clinical Relevance
Understanding this anatomy is critical for several clinical scenarios:
In splenic vein thrombosis (sinistral portal hypertension), the isolated occlusion of the splenic vein can cause gastric varices while the portal vein remains patent, demonstrating their anatomical continuity 4, 6, 7.
Cross-sectional imaging with CT or MRI using portal venous phase contrast is necessary to evaluate the confluence of the splenic and superior mesenteric veins forming the portal vein 4, 6.
The portal vein, splenic vein, and hepatic veins can all be visualized on ultrasound as part of the hepatic vascular assessment, confirming their proximity within the central abdomen 4, 5.