Which vein carries blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava?

The vein that carries blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava is the hepatic vein. The hepatic veins are responsible for draining deoxygenated blood from the liver, which has processed nutrients and toxins from the blood coming from the digestive organs. Once the blood is collected in the hepatic veins, it is transported directly to the inferior vena cava, which then returns it to the heart.

Understanding the role of the hepatic veins in the circulatory system is important because they facilitate the final steps of blood flow from the liver, allowing for the delivery of processed blood to the heart for re-circulation throughout the body. In contrast, the portal vein directs blood to the liver from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen, while the splenic vein and superior mesenteric vein are involved in carrying blood to the liver rather than away from it.