The blood vessel that supplies blood rich in digested food to the liver is the

Step 1: Analyze the question We need the vessel that carries blood rich in digested food to the liver.

Step 2: Explain the concept After digestion, nutrients such as glucose and amino acids are absorbed into the blood capillaries in the villi of the small intestine. This blood does not go straight to the heart. It first travels to the liver, where the nutrients are processed, stored (e.g., glucose is stored as glycogen), or regulated, and harmful substances are detoxified.

The vessel that does this job is the hepatic portal vein. It is called a "portal" vessel because it links two capillary networks, the one in the intestine and the one in the liver. It is a vein because it carries blood from the intestines toward the liver, though that blood is rich in nutrients and low in oxygen.

Step 3: Check each option

• A. Hepatic artery: Supplies the liver with oxygenated blood from the aorta. It does not carry digested food.
• B. Hepatic portal artery: There is no such vessel in human anatomy.
• C. Hepatic portal vein: Carries nutrient-rich blood from the small intestine to the liver. Correct.
• D. Hepatic vein: Carries blood away from the liver to the vena cava.
• E. Renal artery: Supplies the kidneys, not the liver.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is C. Hepatic portal vein.

Exam tip: Remember the flow: Intestine → Hepatic portal vein → Liver → Hepatic vein → Vena cava → Heart.

• Portal = to the liver, bringing food.
• Hepatic vein = away from the liver.
• Hepatic artery = oxygen for the liver.