HEPATIC PORTAL VEIN

  Portal Vein (Hepatic Portal Vein)

The hepatic portal vein drains blood from the abdominal part of the Gastrointestinal tract from the lower third of the esophagus to halfway down the anal canal. It also drains blood from the spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder. The hepatic portal vein enters the liver and breaks up into sinusoids, from which blood passes into the hepatic veins that join the inferior vena cava. The portal vein is about 2 inch (5 cm) long and forms behind the neck of the pancreas by the union of the superior mesenteric and splenic veins. It ascends to the right, behind the first part of the duodenum, and enters the lesser omentum. It then runs upward in front of the opening into the lesser

sac to the porta hepatis, where it lies behind the bile duct and the hepatic artery. Finally, it divides into right and left terminal branches.

Tributaries of the Hepatic portal vein

Splenic vein: 

Splenic vein leaves the hilum of the spleen and passes to the right in the splenorenal ligament. It unites with the superior mesenteric vein behind the neck of the pancreas to form the portal vein. It receives the short gastric, left gastro-omental, inferior mesenteric, and pancreatic veins.

Inferior mesenteric vein: 

Inferior mesenteric vein ascends on the posterior abdominal wall and joins the splenic vein behind the body of the pancreas. It receives the superior rectal veins, the sigmoid veins, and the left colic vein.

Superior mesenteric vein: 

Superior Mesenteric vein ascends in the root of the mesentery of the small intestine. It passes in front of the third part of the duodenum and joins the splenic vein behind the neck of the pancreas. It receives the jejunal, ileal, ileocolic, right colic, middle colic, inferior pancreaticoduodenal, and right gastro-omental veins.

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Left gastric vein: 

Left gastric vein drains the left portion of the lesser curvature of the stomach and the distal part of the esophagus. It opens directly into the portal vein.

Right gastric vein: 

Right gastric vein drains the right portion of the lesser curvature of the stomach and drains directly into the portal vein.

Cystic veins: 

Cystic veins either drain the gallbladder directly into the liver or join the portal vein.

Clinical Notes on Hepatic Portal Vein

Portal–Systemic Anastomoses

Under normal conditions, the portal venous blood traverses the liver anddrains into the inferior vena cava of the systemic venous circulation by way of the hepatic veins. This is the direct route. However, other, smaller communications exist between the portal and systemic systems, and they become important when the direct route becomes blocked.

These communications are as follows:

Gastroesophageal anastomosis.

 At the lower third of the esophagus,the esophageal branches of the left gastric vein (portal tributary) anastomose with the esophageal veins draining the middle third of the esophagus into the azygos veins (systemic tributary).Anorectal anastomosis. Halfway down the anal canal, the superior rectal veins (portal tributary) draining the upper half of the anal canal anastomose with the middle and inferior rectal veins (systemic tributaries), which are tributaries of the internal iliac and internal pudendal veins, respectively.

Paraumbilical anastomosis. 

The paraumbilical veins connect the left branch of the portal vein with the superficial veins of the anterior abdominal wall (systemic tributaries). The paraumbilical veins travel in the falciform ligament and accompany the ligamentum teres.

Retroperitoneal anastomoses. 

The veins of retroperitoneal organs (duodenum, pancreas, ascending colon, and descending colon), plus the liver (portal tributaries), anastomose with the renal, lumbar, and phrenic veins (systemic tributaries). 

Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is a common clinical condition that influences the portal–systemic anastomoses just described. Enlargement of the portal–systemic connections is frequently accompanied by congestive enlargement of the spleen. Portacaval shunts for the treatment of portal hypertension mayinvolve the anastomosis of the portal vein, because it lies within the lesser omentum, to the anterior wall of the inferior vena cava behind the entranceinto the lesser sac. The splenic vein may be anastomosed to the left renal vein after removing the spleen.

Blood Flow through Portal Vein and Malignant Disease

The portal vein conveys about 70% of the blood that enters the liver. The remaining 30% is oxygenated blood, which passes to the liver via the

hepatic artery. The wide angle of union of the splenic vein with the superior mesenteric vein to form the portal vein leads to streaming of the blood flow in the portal vein. The right lobe of the liver receives blood mainly from the intestine, whereas the left lobe plus the quadrate and caudate lobes receive blood from the stomach and the spleen. This distribution of blood may explain the distribution of secondary malignant deposits in the liver.

IONIZATION ENERGY

  What is Ionization energy?

Ionization energy is the minimum amount of energy required to remove the most loosely bounded electron from an isolated gaseous atom in its ground state.

CHEMISTRY| ORGANIC CHEMISTRY

 What is Organic Chemistry ?

Organic chemistry is the branch of  Chemistry that deals with the study of structure, composition, chemical reactions, and other physical and chemical properties of hydrocarbons and their derivatives. 

What are hydrocarbons and their derivatives? 

Hydrocarbons are the compounds of purely carbon and hydrogen e.g alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds like benzene, napthalene, anthracene and many others. Not the atom of any other element is present in them. If any other atom is attached with these hydrocarbons, then these compounds are called as the derivatives of hydrocarbons. They may contain elements like Oxygen, Nitrogen, Halogens, Sulphur, Phosphorus, and some metals like magnesium, potassium, copper,iron etc. For example alcohols(R-OH), Amines (R-NH2), Alkyl halides (R-X), Carboxylic acids(R-COOH), Phenols, substituted aryls, Nitro benzene, Grignard reagents(R-Mg-X)and  many others. These compounds are called as derivatives because they are formed by the substitution of a group in a hydrocarbons. 

What are the classes of organic compounds? 

Organic compounds are divided into different classes on the basis of the functional group attached to the hydrocarbons. There are too many classes of organic compounds, a few of them are listed below. 

Some common classes of organic compounds with general structures and class name.

How do we study organic compounds? 

About 900 million organic compounds exists in the today's world and they are increasing  exponentially. These compounds may be naturally occurring or synthesized artificially in the laboratory for commercial purposes. As, it would be quite impossible to study these organic compounds individually. So, to simplify the study of organic compounds, these are classified or divided into homologous series. 

What are homologous series? 

Homologous series is a series of organic compounds having same general formula (the length of carbon chain increases but have the same functional group), chemical properties , show similar chemical reactions and have comparable methods of preparation. The successive members of the homologous series vary from each other by a CH2  group. The members of homologous series differ from each other because of their chain length. 

For example, the hydrocarbons having OH- group attached to the carbon atom, form a homologous series of compounds called as Alkanols (alcohols). The chemical formula and chain length of the adjacent members of this series differ from each other by -CH2 (methyl group). 

Definition of chemistry | Matter | Substance | Mixture

WHAT IS CHEMISTRY? 

Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the study of matter ( substance and mixture), their chemical and physical properties, the chemical reactions and the conditions that govern these reactions. 

FLAVONOIDS

 FLAVONOIDS 

Flavonoids are plant's secondary metabolites and have a polyphenolic structure. These are an important class of natural products. These are present abundantly in fruits, vegetables, cereals, tea, wine, and many others. They have many biochemical effects associated with them, which attributes them important biological activities like anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous, neuro protective and cardiovascular protective etc.

BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM | IMPROVE HEALTH | COMBAT DISEASES

 5 COMMONLY USED VEGETABLES THAT BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM AND IMPROVE HEALTH 

Everything that exists, have some purpose. Similarly, everything that we consume effects our body. It may have positive effects on our body or it may damages our health. So, to maintain a better health condition would be our first priority to avoid daily life stresses. Here are some foods (vegetables) that prove to be best for your bodily and mind' health. These foods have proven medical benefits. 

1. BROCCOLI

Scientific name: Brassica oleracea var. italica
Broccoli belongs to the family Brassicaceae of Angiospermae. It was discovered about 2000 years ago in Italy. Since then it is used for its miraculous medicinal properties. Broccoli is full of nutrients which assign it such medicinal properties. These nutrients include minerals like potassium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and folate ions, vitamins like vit.A, vit.C, vit.E, phytochemicals include carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and many other polyphenols.
Due to these properties broccoli possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer and cardiovascular protective properties. Broccoli plays an significant role to prevent cold and boost immune system due to the presence of vitamin C. A chemical known as sulforaphane also has a vital role in preventing flu. Researches have shown that sulforaphane turns on antioxidant genes in human's immune cells, which then neutralises or destroy free radicals and prevent us from many diseases including flu, cancer and many other diseases. Read more

2. GINGER

Scientific name: Zingiber officinale
Ginger belongs to Lilianae family of plants. It is native to South-East Asia. It is a common kitchen spice and since its discovery it is used as medicinal plant.
Ginger is packed with nutrients essential to human body. It contain minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, sodium, copper and magnesium, vitamins include vit.B3 and B6 majorly, phytochemicals that are present in it include saponin, anthraquinones, phlobatannin and glycosides. These nutrients attribute ginger many medicinal and pharmaceutical properties which include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, cardiovascular protective, anti-diabetic, anti-neurodegenerative and anti-obesity characteristics. Due to the presence of polyphenols like gingerols, shogaols etc , ginger helps to boost immune activity of body. These polyphenols also help to avoid nausea, different gastric problems, cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. Specifically, gingerol suppresses the tumor growth in small intestine and protect us from developing colorectal cancer.Read more
3. GARLIC 

Scientific name: Allium sativum
Garlic belongs to the lily family of plants. It is a bulb of the plant Allium sativum and consists of many individual cloves in a thin white layer (may be purple sometimes). Garlic was discovered about 3000 years ago. It is used almost in the entire world for centuries as a herbal medicine. It is also used in almost every cuisine around the globe. Garlic is fulfilled with substances that are compulsory for normal metabolic process of human body. It contain minerals like germanium, calcium, zinc, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, selenium and tellerium, vitamins include vit.A, B1, B2, B3 and C, sugars include glucose, fructose and galactose etc, Amino acids are Lysine, Histidine, Aspartic acid and many similar one. Sulfur compounds present in garlic include alliin, ajoene, allicin, DAS, DADS, DATS, S-allyl mercaptocysteine and many others. These sulfur compounds are the major components of garlic that attribute it vital medicinal properties. These properties include anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, neuro protective and vasoactive. The major anti-cancer and vasoactive ir cardiovascular protective compounds are allicin and S-allyl mercaptocysteine. Allicin doesn't exist in raw garlic, it is formed when garlic is cut or injured and alliin is converted into allicin. Read more

4. SPINACH 

Scientific name: Spinacia oleracea 

Spinach belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae. It is a green, leafy, annual, cool season vegetable. It is native to South-West Asia. It is believed that it was first cultivated by Arabs in Persia(Iran) about 2000 years ago. Then in 7th century it was introduced in China, and in Europe in 17th century and then throughout the world. Spinach has diversified uses in food, medicinal, beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. As it contains vital nutrients, therefore it have proven benefits on human health. The nutrients present in spinach include minerals like magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, phosphorus, zinc and selenium etc, vitamins include vit.A, B1, B2, B6, C, K and E, protein fibres, phytochemicals like carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin and polyphenols like lignans, tannis, chlorophyll, glutathione and alpha-lipoic acid etc and fatty acids like omega 3 and also folate ions. These nutrients attribute important biological activities to spinach. These characteristics are skin protection, cardiovascular protection, neuro protection, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-diabetic and rapid recovery from injuries. Every nutrient present in spinach has a role in assigning these properties to it. But flavonoids (polyphenols) are the major anti-diabetic and anti-cancer agents in it. Vitamin C helps to combat flu and relevant diseases and vit.K1 helps in blood clotting. Read more

5. KALE 

Scientific name: Brassica olerace var. sabellica

Kale belongs to the Brassicaceae family of Angiosperms. It is a leafy, green, cruciferous vegetable. It was originated in Eastern Mediterranean and Asia about 2000 years ago. Kale contains large amount of essential nutrients, these include minerals like phosphorus, potassium, calcium, zinc and folate ions, vitamins like vitamin A, B, C and K. Vitamin A provides eye and bone health, vit.C aids to prevent cold, vit.K helps in blood clotting, vit.B helps in brain development.  It also contains phytochemicals like lutein, and zeaxanthin, and good fatty acids like omega 3 and alpha-lipoic acid. Due to the presence of these compounds kale plays a vital role in boosting immune activity and metabolic rate. It possess important characteristics as it is anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, neuro-protective, cardiovascular protective and anti-obesity. Most of the properties of kale are due to phytochemicals (polyphenols) present in it.

SPINACH | BENEFITS OF SPINACH | FLAVONOIDS

WHAT IS SPINACH, WHAT ARE ITS NUTRITIONAL FACTS AND HOW IT IS BENEFICIAL FOR HUMANS 

Scientific name: Spinacia oleracea

Taxonomic hierarchy of Spinacia oleracea 

                     Kingdom: Plantae 

                       Sub kingdom: Viridiplantae 

                         Infra kingdom: Streptophyta 

                          Super division: Embryophyta 

                            Division: Tracheophyta 

                              Sub division: Spermatophytina 

                                Class: Magnoliopsida 

                                  Super order: Caryophyllanae

                                    Order: Caryophyllales

                                      Family: Amaranthaceae

                                        Genus: Spinacia

                                          Specie: Spinacia oleracea 

          Spinach (Spinacia oleracea), belongs to the family Chenopodiaceae, is a leafy, green (smooth or wrinkled) cool-season, annual vegetable native to South-west Asia. It is cultivated through out the world. In different areas around the globe it is consumed in different forms, either in boiled, frozen, raw (as salad), or as ingredient of different cuisines. 

Origin of Spinach: 

It is believed that it has been first cultivated by Arabs. About 2000 years ago, it was first grown in Persia ( today's Iran). Then, in 7th century it was harvested in China and then in 11th century it was introduced in Europe. Later on, it become a common vegetable and also used as medicine throughout the world. 

Spinach has diversified uses in food industry but inspire of that it has vital role in medicine, because of the many nutrients present in it. It has many proven benefits on human health. 

NUTRIENTS 

Spinach is enriched with many nutrients that play a key role in many metabolic processes and prevent humans from developing many diseases. 

• Spinach is packed with minerals, they may be micronutrients or macronutrients. These minerals include magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, potassium, copper, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. They are essential in many biochemical reactions as co-factor and in blood making i.e in the formation of haemoglobin. 
• Spinach is also enriched with vitamins like vitamin A (from beta-carotene), vitamin C, E, K1 and some vitamins B like vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin B6 . They help in blood clotting, strengthening bones and many other functions. 
• Spinach is also enriched with many fibers, including protein fibres.
• Phytochemicals are of the most importance in spinach. These include carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, beta-carotene along with many phenolic compounds such as glutathione, chlorophyll, alpha-lipoic acid and betaine.
• Spinach contains phenolic substances ranging from very simple to  complex ones. They include simple phenols  like caffeic acid to highly polymerised structures as tannis. Most common phenols in spinach include flavonoids, lignans, stilbenes, coumarins and tannis. 
•   Spinach has high contents of folate ions which contributes for good mental health and lower the risk of anxiety disorders and depression. It is also taken as supplement while pregnancy. 
• Spinach is also enriched with omega 3, which is a potent source of brain development.

[HOW SPINACH IS USEFUL FOR HUMANS OR HOW DO IT PREVENTS HUMANS FROM MANY CHRONIC DISEASES]

• Spinach is used as antioxidant to scavenge free radicals.
• Spinach is used to prevent or cure many types of  cancer including prostate, breast and colon cancer.
• Spinach is used to treat diabetes Mellitus. 
• It has many beneficial effects on skin .
• Due to high contents of iron in spinach, it is useful to increase the blood haemoglobin level.
• It is very helpful to avoid Alzheimer's disease. It has also many positive effects on decreasing cognitive nervous disorders because of its anti-inflammatory properties. 
• Spinach protects us from developing many diseases, especially age related molecular degeneration (AMD) due to the presence of a compound known as lutein.

Spinach have many medicinal compounds present in it which helps to cure wide range of diseases. One category of these compounds is flavonoids. Flavonoids are the major anti-diabetic substances present in spinach and most of the medicinal plants. 

FLAVONOIDS:  

Basic structure of flavonoid

Flavonoids are the polyphenolic compounds with variable structure. These are wide spread group of plants secondary metabolites. They are found in grains, vegetables, fruits tea, flowers and fermented drinks like wine. These substances have medicinal, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical applications. 

Flavonoids include kaempferol, quercetin, apigenin and lutein. 

They have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties. These substances also have the ability to modulate key cellular enzyme activity and because of this property, they possess hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic characteristics. Researches have shown that these compounds ameliorate diabetic phenotype and might be effected directly to enhance the secretions of  insulin and prevent stem-cell apoptosis.