Hepatoduodenal ligament
The hepatoduodenal ligament is a double-layered tubular role of peritoneum that constitutes part of the
lesser omentum. It stretches between the porta hepatis of the liver and the proximal portion of the
duodenum. Its main function is to encompass and accompany the portal triad which are three
structures running in close proximity, including the hepatic artery proper, the hepatic portal vein and the
common bile duct.
Hepatic artery proper
The hepatic artery proper is a continuation of the common hepatic artery after it gives off the gastroduodenal
artery. It supplies the liver and gallbladder. It gives off the right gastric artery that can be found running along the
lesser curvature of the stomach. It anastomoses with the left gastric artery that branches directly from the celiac
trunk. The hepatic artery proper bifurcates near the porta hepatis divides into the right and left hepatic arteries
that enter the liver.
Hepatic portal vein
The hepatic portal vein, the second structure of the triad, is a large blood vessel that collects the
deoxygenated blood from the spleen and the gastrointestinal tract and returns it to the liver. Once inside the
liver, the nutrients contained within the blood after their absorption from the intestines are processed and any
toxins present are filtered. As much as 75% of the blood the liver receives comes directly from the hepatic
portal vein, with the remaining 25% flowing in from the hepatic artery proper.
The hepatoduodenal ligament is a double-layered tubular role of peritoneum that constitutes part of the
lesser omentum. It stretches between the porta hepatis of the liver and the proximal portion of the
duodenum. Its main function is to encompass and accompany the portal triad which are three
structures running in close proximity, including the hepatic artery proper, the hepatic portal vein and the
common bile duct.
Hepatic artery proper
The hepatic artery proper is a continuation of the common hepatic artery after it gives off the gastroduodenal
artery. It supplies the liver and gallbladder. It gives off the right gastric artery that can be found running along the
lesser curvature of the stomach. It anastomoses with the left gastric artery that branches directly from the celiac
trunk. The hepatic artery proper bifurcates near the porta hepatis divides into the right and left hepatic arteries
that enter the liver.
Hepatic portal vein
The hepatic portal vein, the second structure of the triad, is a large blood vessel that collects the
deoxygenated blood from the spleen and the gastrointestinal tract and returns it to the liver. Once inside the
liver, the nutrients contained within the blood after their absorption from the intestines are processed and any
toxins present are filtered. As much as 75% of the blood the liver receives comes directly from the hepatic
portal vein, with the remaining 25% flowing in from the hepatic artery proper.
