The hepatic portal system is where the hepatic portal vein will drain blood from viscera (stomach, spleen and intestines) directly to the liver so that nutrients are absorbed. At the liver it will re-diverge to capillaries, allowing the liver to store nutrients that have just been absorbed. The glucose rich blood will not go directly to the heart but to liver to store as glycogen. Overall, this enables the liver to get the first chance for nutrient absorption and detoxifying after eating.