CIDESCO Certification Practice Exam

The correct choice is the hepatic portal vein. This vessel specifically carries blood from the gastrointestinal organs and spleen to the liver. This is a crucial pathway because it allows the liver to process nutrients, detoxify substances, and regulate blood sugar levels after digestion. The hepatic portal system also plays an important role in directing blood that has absorbed nutrients from the stomach and intestines to the liver, where these nutrients can be metabolized.

Understanding this function is key, especially in the context of digestion and metabolism. The other options listed are associated with different functions in the circulatory system: the renal artery supplies blood to the kidneys, the carotid artery carries blood to the head and neck, and the jugular vein drains blood from the head back to the heart. Each vessel serves its distinct purpose, but the hepatic portal vein is specifically dedicated to transporting blood from the digestive organs to the liver.

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