[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) › Common hepatic artery [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) # Common hepatic artery The common hepatic artery is a branch of the celiac trunk that runs to the right toward the [liver](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/liver/) and gives blood to the liver, [stomach](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/stomach/) and duodenum. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=abdomen&select=common_hepatic_artery&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A branch of the celiac trunk running to the right along the upper border of the pancreas; it divides into the proper hepatic and gastroduodenal arteries. ## What it does Starts the arterial supply of the liver, [gallbladder](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gallbladder/), stomach and duodenum. ## Key points - Tying the common hepatic artery before the [gastroduodenal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/gastroduodenal-artery/) is usually tolerated, as the gastroduodenal artery brings blood back from the [superior mesenteric artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superior-mesenteric-artery/); tying the [proper hepatic artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/proper-hepatic-artery/) is riskier - Ends above the first part of the duodenum, where it divides: the gastroduodenal artery goes down, the proper hepatic artery up into the hepatoduodenal ligament - The lymph nodes along it, above the pancreas, are routinely removed in gastric and pancreatic cancer surgery ## Key facts **Origin** Celiac trunk; runs to the right along the upper border of the pancreas **Branches** Gastroduodenal artery and hepatic artery proper (sometimes the right gastric) **Supplies** Liver, gallbladder, pylorus, first part of duodenum, pancreatic head (through its branches) ## Relations **Course** From the [celiac trunk](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/celiac-trunk/) it runs to the right behind the lesser sac along the upper border of the [pancreas](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pancreas/), then turns forward and up to the first part of the [duodenum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/duodenum/), where it divides **Below** Upper border of the [head and neck](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/head-and-neck/) of the pancreas **In front** Lesser sac, with the pylorus and the [lesser omentum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/lesser-omentum/) in front **Behind** [Portal vein](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/hepatic-portal-vein/) as it rises behind the first part of the duodenum; further back, the [inferior vena cava](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-vena-cava/) ## How to find it Found in surgery by opening the lesser omentum and following the upper border of the pancreatic head and neck to the right of the celiac trunk; it then turns forward to the upper edge of the first part of the duodenum, where it forms the lower margin of the epiploic foramen and divides. ## On imaging CT angiography shows it running horizontally to the right above the pancreas; on ultrasound it forms one wing of the seagull sign with the [splenic artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/splenic-artery/). Arterial-phase CT maps its variants before liver, pancreatic or gastric surgery and before catheter treatment of liver tumours. ## Common problems - Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): a silent widening, more common in older men who smoke; rupture is life-threatening. ## How it is diagnosed Ultrasound screening; CT. ## Treatment - Monitoring of small aneurysms; repair with a stent-graft through the groin arteries or open surgery for large ones. ## Clinical notes - Before the gastroduodenal artery is tied in a pancreatoduodenectomy, it is clamped briefly while the hepatic pulse is checked: a fading pulse suggests celiac stenosis with liver flow coming from the superior mesenteric artery - Catheters for chemoembolization of liver tumours pass through it on the way to the hepatic arteries - In upper abdominal surgery it is found by following the upper border of the pancreas to the right from the celiac trunk ## Anatomical variants - May arise from the superior mesenteric artery (replaced common hepatic artery) or directly from the aorta, both uncommon - Hepatosplenic trunk: it shares a trunk with the splenic artery while the [left gastric artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/left-gastric-artery/) arises separately ## Related conditions - [Hepatocellular carcinoma](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/hepatocellular-carcinoma/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What is the course of the common hepatic artery and where does it end? From the celiac trunk it runs right along the upper border of the pancreas to above the first part of the duodenum, where it divides into the gastroduodenal and proper hepatic arteries. ## Why is tying the common hepatic artery before the gastroduodenal origin usually tolerated? The gastroduodenal artery brings blood back from the superior mesenteric artery to the proper hepatic artery; tying the proper hepatic artery is riskier. ## What is checked before the gastroduodenal artery is tied in a pancreatoduodenectomy? It is clamped briefly while the hepatic pulse is felt: a fading pulse suggests celiac stenosis with liver flow coming from the superior mesenteric artery. ## Which vein lies behind the common hepatic artery? The portal vein, as it rises behind the first part of the duodenum; further back lies the inferior vena cava. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/common-hepatic-artery/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria hepatica communis TA2 4214 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arteria hepática DeCS D006499 **English (TA2)** Common hepatic artery **Also called** hepatic artery · arteria hepatica Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=6652&filter=ths_termall&q=Arteria%20Hep%C3%A1tica); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Celiac Trunk](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459241/); Anatomy of the Human Body (20th ed.): The Abdominal Aorta (Lea & Febiger (Gray's Anatomy, 1918), 1918) · adapted, Public domain. ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/common-hepatic-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/common-hepatic-artery/