The hepatoduodenal ligament is a peritoneal ligament of lesser omentum containing the portal triad 1.
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Gross anatomy
The hepatoduodenal ligament is a thickening of the right edge of the lesser omentum and forms the anterior margin of the epiploic foramen. It extends from the porta hepatis to the first 2 cm of the duodenum 2.
Contents
The portal vein lies posterior to both the common bile duct and hepatic artery, with the common bile duct being to the right of the hepatic artery 4.
Related pathology
The hepatoduodenal ligament provides a route of spread of diseases of the pancreatic head to the porta hepatis or the liver.
Development
Before the 8th week of intrauterine life, the hepatoduodenal ligament also contains the ventral bud of the pancreas from which the pancreatic head develops later.