What is another name for the main portal vein?

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The main concept here is the common shorthand used for a major abdominal vessel. MPV stands for the main portal vein, which is the vessel that carries nutrient-rich blood from the gastrointestinal tract and spleen to the liver and is routinely abbreviated in anatomy and radiology texts. While the portal vein or hepatic portal vein are also names used for the same vessel, the abbreviation MPV is the standard way clinicians commonly refer to the main portal vein, especially in imaging reports and surgical planning. The other option, the superior mesenteric vein, is a different vessel that joins with the splenic vein to form the portal vein, so it’s not the same structure.