The general pattern of the venous network that drains the gallbladder and biliary tree is similar to that of the arterial counterpart. In fact, most of the veins go parallel to the arteries.

Overall, two venous plexuses drain the biliary tree. The bile ducts are drained by the epicholedochal venous plexus (of Saint) and paracholedochal venous plexus (of Petren).

The veins forming the epicholedochal venous plexus (of Saint) travel on the walls of the bile ducts and drain into the paracholedochal venous plexus (of Petren).
The paracholedochal venous plexus (of Petren) is also known as the marginal veins, and it drains into the right gastric vein, posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal vein, gastrocolic trunk and superior mesenteric vein inferiorly. It also connects with the hilar plexus and branches of the intrahepatic portal veins superiorly.

The gallbladder is drained by several small veins that drain into the segmental portal veins, as well as the cystic vein that drains into the paracholedochal venous plexus.

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Venous drainage of biliary system