Morphological Characteristics of The Arterial Supply of The Extra- Hepatic Biliary System (original) (raw)

Introduction: A comprehensive knowledge of the regional anatomy and abnormalities of the arterial supply to the extra-hepatic biliary system is a requisite for safe biliary tract surgery. Objective: To describe morphological characteristics of arterial supply to extra-hepatic biliary system using human cadavers. Method: Descriptive-prospective cross sectional study was performed in 60 cadavers, to observe variations in arterial supply to extra-hepatic biliary system. Results: The mean length of right and left hepatic arteries was 2.8cm and 2.3cm respectively. The mean length of proper hepatic artery was 3.1 cm. The mean length of cystic artery was 1.4cm before its division into anterior and posterior branches ranged from 0.9cm to 2.1 cm. 74.9% of the cystic arteries originated as a single artery from the right branch of the hepatic artery. In 43% of the specimens, right hepatic artery was lying in the triangle of Calot's. Conclusion: Variations in arterial supply inrelation to the extra-hepatic biliary system vasculature is common.