The portal vein carries blood toward which organ?

The portal vein is a critical vessel in the circulatory system that carries nutrient-rich blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver. This process is essential for the liver to perform its functions, such as detoxification, metabolism, and storage of nutrients.

When food is digested, nutrients are absorbed in the intestines and then transported via the portal vein to the liver, allowing the liver to regulate the distribution of these nutrients to the rest of the body. This function supports metabolic processes and plays an essential role in maintaining the body's overall homeostasis.

The other organs listed, such as the stomach, pancreas, and spleen, have different blood supply systems. While they are important for digestion and other metabolic functions, they do not receive blood directly from the portal vein in the same way that the liver does.