Which organ is primarily responsible for transporting absorbed nutrients via the portal vein?

The liver plays a crucial role in the process of nutrient absorption and metabolism. After nutrients from digested food are absorbed in the intestines, they are not directly released into the general bloodstream. Instead, they first enter the portal vein, which transports them to the liver for processing.

The liver serves as a metabolic hub, where it can store nutrients, convert them into other usable forms, detoxify harmful substances, and regulate the distribution of these nutrients throughout the body. This function is vital for maintaining overall metabolic balance, ensuring that nutrients are available where and when they are needed.

Given this context, the liver's involvement in the transport of absorbed nutrients makes it the correct answer, as it is directly connected to the portal vein system facilitating the movement of nutrients from the intestines to the hepatic (liver) cells for further processing and distribution.