They arise from the substance of the liver, more specifically the central vein of the liver lobule. They can be differentiated into two groups, the upper group and lower group.
The upper group typically arises from the posterior aspect of the liver, are three in number, and drain the quadrate lobe and left lobe. The lower group arise from the right lobe and caudate lobe, are variable in number, and are typically smaller than those in the upper group. None of the hepatic veins have valves.