Hepatic Artery (Proper)

arteria hepatica propria

The hepatic artery proper is the left-anterior structure of the portal triad in the hepatoduodenal ligament. Its right branch provides the cystic artery to the gallbladder — the critical relationship identified in Calot's triangle during cholecystectomy. The hepatic artery has many anatomical variants (right hepatic from SMA in 15%, replaced left from left gastric in 15%) that must be identified before hepatic or pancreatic surgery.

Region: Abdomen

Anatomical Data

Origin, Insertion & Supply

Origin	Common hepatic artery (a branch of the coeliac trunk), after giving off the gastroduodenal artery

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

Hepatic artery anatomical variants must be assessed on preoperative CTA before hepatic resection, liver transplantation, and pancreaticoduodenectomy — inadvertent division of an anomalous replaced right hepatic artery during Whipple's procedure produces right lobe ischaemia. The cystic artery most commonly arises from the right hepatic artery within Calot's triangle — identification of its course is essential to safe cholecystectomy.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Hepatic Artery Variant Injury

Inadvertent division of anomalous hepatic artery branches during biliary or pancreatic surgery producing hepatic ischaemia managed with reconstruction if identified intraoperatively.