<prompt> Portal vein starts at level of?L2L3L4L5  <response>: Ans. A L2Ref: Netters Clinical Anatomy, 3rd ed. pg. 202 Portal vein starts at level of L2 vertebra and is formed by junction of superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein. It is 8 cm long and lies behind the neck of pancreas. Normal portal vein pressure is 5-10 mm Hg. 