All venous blood leaving the intestines travels through which structure?

The correct answer is the hepatic portal vessel, which is also commonly referred to as the hepatic portal vein. This structure serves a crucial role in the circulatory system, particularly in the context of digestion and nutrient absorption.

When blood leaves the intestines, it carries nutrients that have been absorbed from the digestive process. Instead of traveling directly to the systemic circulation via the aorta, this blood is directed through the hepatic portal vein to the liver. This pathway allows the liver to process these nutrients before they enter the general circulation. The liver is able to metabolize the substances, detoxify harmful compounds, and regulate the release of glucose and other nutrients into the bloodstream according to the body's needs.

This unique blood route highlights the important relationship between the intestines and the liver, ensuring that nutrients are efficiently processed and utilized by the body. Other structures mentioned, such as the coronary artery and the aorta, serve different roles in the circulatory system, specifically related to supplying blood to the heart and distributing blood throughout the body, but they are not involved in the transport of venous blood from the intestines.