The analysis of the accessory arterial sources of the liver. Study on corrosion casts.

Abstract

The hepatic artery proper (HAP) represents the main arterial source of the hepatic parenchyma (HP). On a number of 100 hepatic corrosion casts (CC) one analyzed the supplementary arterial sources of the HP. The CC were realized by the injection of the hepatic vasculo-ductal elements with plastic mass, followed by the corrosion of the hepatic parenchyma with hydrochloric acid. In 7% of the cases we revealed the presence of supplementary sources. In 5% of the cases the right medial division is vascularized by the right accessory hepatic artery, originated from the superior mesenteric artery. In this case, from the right branch of the HAP originates only the posterior branch. In 2% of the cases, the left medial division is vascularized by the left gastric artery. In these cases from the left branch of the HAP originate only the lateral branch. The revealed accessory hepatic arteries are destined only the medial divisions. In 11% of the cases the medial branch originates from the right branch of the HAP, and in 7% of the cases it continues the terminal part of the left branch of the HAP. The analysis of the accessory arterial sources is very important when performing surgical interventions of the medial divisions of the parenchyma. These aspects are important to reveal because in 7% of the cases there are extrinsic hepatic arterial sources, and in 18% of the cases – the medial branch has a peculiar intraparenchymatous origin. (Supported by CEEX 175/2006).