The hepatoduodenal ligament is the free edge of the lesser omentum connecting the liver hilum to the duodenum. It contains the three key structures of the portal triad: the portal vein (posterior), hepatic artery proper (left anterior), and common bile duct (right anterior). Pringle's manoeuvre — compression of this ligament between thumb and index finger — temporarily stops hepatic blood flow during liver surgery.
| Origin | Porta hepatis (liver hilum) |
|---|---|
| Insertion | First part of the duodenum |
| Actions | Contains the portal triad — portal vein, hepatic artery, common bile duct — the key structures of Pringle's manoeuvre |
|---|
Calot's triangle (hepatocystic triangle) is bounded superiorly by the liver, medially by the common hepatic duct, and inferiorly by the cystic duct — all within the hepatoduodenal ligament. Safe dissection of Calot's triangle to achieve the critical view of safety is mandatory in cholecystectomy. The hepatoduodenal ligament is the surgical landmark for portal vein and hepatic artery identification in hepatic transplantation and liver resection.
Hepatoduodenal ligament trauma from liver laceration or bile duct injury requiring surgical repair of the portal triad structures.
