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The superior mesenteric vessel is a blood vessel that drains blood from the small intestine (jejunum and ileum), 1903. From 'Surgical Anatomy: The Treatise of the Human Anatomy and Its Applications to the Practice of Medicine and Surgery, Volume III' (1903). At its termination behind the neck of the pancreas, the SMV combines with the splenic vein to form the hepatic portal vein. The SMV lies to the right of the similarly named artery, the superior mesenteric artery, which originates from the abdominal aorta. (Photo by VintageMedStock/Getty Images)