Common hepatic artery

Last revised by Dr MT. Niknejad ◉ on 04 Sep 2022

Citation, DOI & article data

Citation:

D'Souza, D., Niknejad, M. Common hepatic artery. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 25 Sep 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-5170

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-5170

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/5170

rID:

5170

Article created:

12 Dec 2008 by Associate Professor Donna D'Souza

Revisions:

32 times by 17 users - see full revision history

Systems:

Vascular, Gastrointestinal, Hepatobiliary

Section:

Anatomy

Tags:

Synonyms:

CHA
Common hepatic artery (CHA)

The common hepatic artery (CHA) is one of the 3 branches of the celiac artery.

It courses posterior to the parietal peritoneum of the lesser sac, first passing anteriorly to the pancreas, then coursing inferiorly towards the first part of the duodenum. It gives off the right gastric artery, which runs superiorly along the lower half of the lesser curvature of the stomach to anastomose with the left gastric artery. The common hepatic artery then passes slightly superiorly, where it runs anterior to the portal vein and medial to the common bile duct after entering the free edge of the lesser omentum (or hepatoduodenal ligament). As it courses superiorly towards the porta hepatis, it gives off the gastroduodenal artery inferiorly, then terminates as the proper hepatic artery.

Branches

right gastric artery
terminal branches
- proper hepatic artery
- gastroduodenal artery

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 the right and left hepatic arteries to supply the entire liver is only 55-60%.

A single or double cystic artery may arise from the proper hepatic artery.

For further details, see variant hepatic arterial anatomy.