Common hepatic artery
The common hepatic artery (CHA) is one of the 3 branches of the celiac artery.
On this page:
Gross anatomy
Origin
The CHA is a terminal branch of the celiac artery, the largest branch coursing to the right.
Course
It passes over anterior to the pancreas, and then inferiorly to the right in the lesser sac towards the first part of duodenum. It gives off the right gastric artery that runs superiorly along the right half of the lesser curvature of the stomach to anastomose with the left gastric artery, which usually arises directly off the celiac artery. The CHA then enters the lesser omentum to pass slightly upwards where is runs anterior to the portal vein and medial to the common bile duct in the free edge of the lesser omentum. As it courses towards the porta hepatis it off the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) inferiorly, after which is becomes the proper hepatic artery (PHA).
Branches
- right gastric artery
- terminal branches
Variant anatomy
Variation in hepatic arterial anatomy is seen in 40-45% of people. Classic branching of the common hepatic artery from the celiac artery, and the proper hepatic artery into right and left hepatic arteries to supply the entire liver, is seen in only 55-60%.
A single or double cystic artery may arise off the PHA.
For further details, see variant hepatic arterial anatomy.
Relevant pathology
Related Radiopaedia articles
Anatomy: Abdominopelvic
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