The venous drainage of the liver is provided by the hepatic venous system that drains deoxygenated blood from the liver to the inferior vena cava. It consists of three major and multiple minor hepatic veins.

The three major hepatic veins are located between the four liver sectors. They collect venous blood from both surfaces of the liver and drain directly into the inferior vena cava.

Right hepatic vein - found in the right portal fissure between the right anterior (medial) sector and right posterior (lateral) sector; it contributes to the venous drainage of segments 6 and 7 and partially segments 5 and 8;
Middle hepatic vein - located in the main portal fissure between the right and left functional lobes of the liver; drains segments 4, 5 and 8;
Left hepatic vein - lies partially in the umbilical fissure and left portal fissure between the left medial sector and left lateral sector; it drains segments 2, 3 and sometimes 4.

Segment 1 is drained by numerous small hepatic veins that usually flow directly into the inferior vena cava.

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Venous drainage of liver