The superior mesenteric vein drains blood from the small intestine, cecum, ascending colon, and transverse colon (Fig. 4.132). It begins in the right iliac fossa as veins draining the terminal ileum, cecum, and appendix join, and ascends in the mesentery to the right of the superior mesenteric artery.
Posterior to the neck of the pancreas, the superior mesenteric vein joins the splenic vein to form the portal vein.