The cystic veins (usually multiple small veins rather than a single cystic vein) drain venous blood from the gallbladder[1][2][3] and the cystic duct.

[2] The cystic veins either drain into various branches (within the liver) and tributaries (outside the liver) of the hepatic portal vein.

[3] Those cystic veins that arise upon the superior aspect of the body and neck of the gallbladder pass within loose connective tissue that occurs between the gallbladder and liver;[1] they then enter the liver to drain into branches of the hepatic portal vein within the liver.

[1][3] The rest of the gallbladder drains into 1-2 small cystic veins which then usually empty into either the hepatic portal vein within the liver, or[1] into tributaries of the hepatic portal venous system that drain either the proximal bile duct or hepatic ducts;[1][2] rarely, one or more cystic vein(s) drain(s) into the right branch of the hepatic portal vein directly.

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