33. What is the significance of hepatic portal system in the circulation system ?
Hepatic Portal System
There is special vascular connection that exists between the digestive tract and liver in a chordates and is called as hepatic portal system. This system carries blood from intestine to the liver before it is delivered to the systemic circulation.
Significance of hepatic portal system in circulatory system
(i) Blood that comes from alimentary canal contain glucose, amino acids and other nutrients. The liver absorbs excess of fats and glucose to be used at the time starvation when blood passess through given.
(ii) Harmful nitrogenous wastes like ammonia is converted into urea which is later removed by kidney.
(iii) Liver produces proteins which are transported through blood circulation (e.g., fibrinogen for blood clotting).
