Vasculature
The liver has a unique dual blood supply:
- Hepatic artery proper (25%) – supplies the non-parenchymal structures of the liver with arterial blood. It is derived from the coeliac trunk.
- Hepatic portal vein (75%) – supplies the liver with partially deoxygenated blood, carrying nutrients absorbed from the small intestine. This is the dominant blood supply to the liver parenchyma, and allows the liver to perform its gut-related functions, such as detoxification.
Venous drainage of the liver is achieved through hepatic veins. The central veins of the hepatic lobule form collecting veins which then combine to form multiple hepatic veins. These hepatic veins then open into the inferior vena cava.
By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2023)
Rack Number
Specimen Number
46