The middle colic vein drains the

transverse colon In human anatomy, the transverse colon is the longest and most movable part of the Large intestine#Structure, colon. Anatomical position It crosses the abdomen from the ascending colon at the right colic flexure (hepatic flexure) with a downward ...

. It is a tributary of the

superior mesenteric vein In human anatomy, the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine (jejunum and ileum). Behind the neck of the pancreas, the superior mesenteric vein combines with the splenic vein to form the portal ...

, and follows the path of its corresponding artery, the middle colic artery. As the superior mesenteric vein drains to the

hepatic portal vein The portal vein or hepatic portal vein (HPV) is a blood vessel that carries blood from the gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder, pancreas and spleen to the liver. This blood contains nutrients and toxins extracted from digested contents. Appro ...

, the middle colic vein is considered part of the

hepatic portal system In human anatomy, the hepatic portal system or portal venous system is a system of veins comprising the portal vein and its tributaries. The other portal venous system in the body is the hypophyseal portal system. Structure Large veins that ar ...

. This vein also carries nutrients absorbed from the large intestine to the liver. This vein is sometimes used as the point of catheter insertion for treatment of acute portal and mesenteric vein thrombosis.

References

Veins of the torso {{Circulatory-stub