Through which vessel do glucose and amino acids travel from the gut to reach tissues?

Through which vessel do glucose and amino acids travel from the gut to reach tissues?

• A. Aorta
• B. Inferior vena cava
• C. Portal vein
• D. Pulmonary artery

Answer: (C)

Glucose and amino acids absorbed from the gut enter the hepatic portal circulation and are carried to the liver for processing before reaching the rest of the body. The vessel that transports these nutrients directly from the gut to the liver is the portal vein, making it the correct choice. After the liver processes them, nutrients flow into the systemic circulation via the hepatic veins to eventually reach tissues, but the first leg from the gut is through the portal vein. The aorta, inferior vena cava, and pulmonary artery are not the routes by which gut-derived nutrients travel to the liver.

Glucose and amino acids absorbed from the gut enter the hepatic portal circulation and are carried to the liver for processing before reaching the rest of the body. The vessel that transports these nutrients directly from the gut to the liver is the portal vein, making it the correct choice. After the liver processes them, nutrients flow into the systemic circulation via the hepatic veins to eventually reach tissues, but the first leg from the gut is through the portal vein. The aorta, inferior vena cava, and pulmonary artery are not the routes by which gut-derived nutrients travel to the liver.