The porta hepatis is the transverse fissure on the underside of the liver where the main vessels, ducts and nerves enter and leave. It lies between the caudate lobe behind and the quadrate lobe in front. The free edge of the lesser omentum (the hepatoduodenal ligament) attaches around it and carries these structures to and from the duodenum.
| Location | Visceral surface of the liver, between the caudate and quadrate lobes |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Hepatic plexus |
| Blood Supply | Right and left hepatic arteries |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Serves as the gateway for blood inflow, bile outflow, nerves and lymph of the liver.
At the porta, the bile ducts usually lie in front, the hepatic artery branches in the middle and the portal vein branches behind. Cancer of the bile ducts at the hepatic duct confluence (Klatskin tumour) and enlarged lymph nodes here can obstruct bile flow and cause jaundice. Clamping the hepatoduodenal ligament just below it (Pringle manoeuvre) stops inflow to the liver during surgery.
Bile duct cancer at the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts (Klatskin tumour), presenting with painless jaundice.
Enlarged nodes at the porta from metastatic cancer, lymphoma or infection that can compress the bile ducts and cause jaundice.
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