Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
17-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
17-4-2026 1:00 PM
Description
INTRODUCTION: Anatomical variations of the abdominal arterial system are of considerable importance in clinical anatomy due to their impact on hepatobiliary surgery, pancreatic resections and liver transplantation. The common hepatic artery classically arises from the celiac trunk (CT); however, documented variations may significantly alter surgical planning and procedural risk. The purpose of this project was to identify, document, and describe variants in the abdominal arterial system.
METHODS: This project was conducted during systematic abdominal dissection in a medical gross anatomy laboratory. Standard dissection techniques were utilized to expose the CT, superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and associated branches. Anatomical relationships were assessed through direct visualization and careful blunt and sharp dissection. Relevant literature and established hepatic arterial classification systems were reviewed to characterize the observed variation.
RESULTS: After careful dissection, the common hepatic artery was found to arise from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) rather than the celiac trunk (CT), representing a replaced common hepatic artery (RCHA). Following its origin from the SMA, the RCHA coursed superiorly toward the hepatoduodenal ligament, where it demonstrated a typical branching pattern into the gastroduodenal artery and the proper hepatic artery. The celiac trunk bifurcated into the left gastric and splenic arteries without giving rise to a hepatic branch. However, the CT did give rise to the right inferior phrenic artery, which more commonly originates directly from the abdominal aorta.
DISCUSSION: Recognition of hepatic arterial variations is essential for minimizing intraoperative complications and preventing ischemic injury. A replaced common hepatic artery arising from the SMA represents a significant anatomic variant that can alter expected surgical landmarks and necessitate modified approaches to vascular identification and control. Failure to recognize this variation may increase the risk of inadvertent ligation or compromised hepatic perfusion. Preoperative radiologic imaging, particularly computerized tomography angiography (CTA), plays a critical role in identifying these vascular variants, allowing for appropriate surgical planning and improved patient outcomes.
Embargo Period
5-28-2026
Included in
A Rare abdominal vasculature variation: Replaced Common Hepatic Artery from the Superior Mesenteric Artery
Moultrie, GA
INTRODUCTION: Anatomical variations of the abdominal arterial system are of considerable importance in clinical anatomy due to their impact on hepatobiliary surgery, pancreatic resections and liver transplantation. The common hepatic artery classically arises from the celiac trunk (CT); however, documented variations may significantly alter surgical planning and procedural risk. The purpose of this project was to identify, document, and describe variants in the abdominal arterial system.
METHODS: This project was conducted during systematic abdominal dissection in a medical gross anatomy laboratory. Standard dissection techniques were utilized to expose the CT, superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and associated branches. Anatomical relationships were assessed through direct visualization and careful blunt and sharp dissection. Relevant literature and established hepatic arterial classification systems were reviewed to characterize the observed variation.
RESULTS: After careful dissection, the common hepatic artery was found to arise from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) rather than the celiac trunk (CT), representing a replaced common hepatic artery (RCHA). Following its origin from the SMA, the RCHA coursed superiorly toward the hepatoduodenal ligament, where it demonstrated a typical branching pattern into the gastroduodenal artery and the proper hepatic artery. The celiac trunk bifurcated into the left gastric and splenic arteries without giving rise to a hepatic branch. However, the CT did give rise to the right inferior phrenic artery, which more commonly originates directly from the abdominal aorta.
DISCUSSION: Recognition of hepatic arterial variations is essential for minimizing intraoperative complications and preventing ischemic injury. A replaced common hepatic artery arising from the SMA represents a significant anatomic variant that can alter expected surgical landmarks and necessitate modified approaches to vascular identification and control. Failure to recognize this variation may increase the risk of inadvertent ligation or compromised hepatic perfusion. Preoperative radiologic imaging, particularly computerized tomography angiography (CTA), plays a critical role in identifying these vascular variants, allowing for appropriate surgical planning and improved patient outcomes.