Central vein of liver

The **central vein of the liver** is a relatively thin-walled but large venule located at the center of each classic hepatic lobule. It receives deoxygenated blood from the sinusoids within the lobule and drains it into sublobular veins, which then flow into larger hepatic veins and ultimately return blood to the heart. The central vein is lined by endothelium and surrounded by a thin layer of collagen and elastic fibers. Its primary function is to collect mixed blood from hepatocytes via sinusoids for return to systemic circulation[1][7]. This term does **not** refer to a molecular therapeutic target such as an enzyme, receptor, transporter, or ion channel. Instead, it describes an anatomical feature essential for normal liver microcirculation[1][7]. There are no known drugs that directly interact with or act upon the central vein itself. If you intended "central vein" in another context (such as "central venous catheter," which refers to medical devices placed in major veins for clinical purposes), please clarify; otherwise, "central vein" alone does not represent a canonical drug target[6][3][5]. **Note:** This entry is marked as incorrect for use as a therapeutic target because it refers only to anatomy rather than any molecule or protein amenable to pharmacological modulation.

Other names

Central venuleVena centralisCentral hepatic vein (less common)Central veins of liver