Common hepatic artery

The common hepatic artery (CHA) is a terminal branch of the celiac artery.

Gross anatomy

Origin and course

The CHA is a terminal branch of the celiac artery, it passes over the top of pancreas, and downwards to the right in the lesser sac towards the first part of duodenum. It gives off the right gastric artery that runs along the lesser curvature of the stomach to anastomose with the left gastric artery. It then enters the lesser omentum to pass slightly upwards towards, at which point it becomes the proper hepatic artery, after giving off gastroduodenal artery, and it meets the portal vein and bile duct in the free edge of the lesser omentum, and runs towards the porta hepatis.

Branches

• right gastric artery
• 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 right and left hepatic arteries to supply the entire liver, is seen in only 55-60%.  

For further details, see variant hepatic arterial anatomy.

Relevant pathology

• hypervascular liver lesions