Space
Porta hepatis
Hepatic hilum for portal inflow and bile outflow
High-yield
Major hepatic veins leave toward the cava away from the porta. The hilum is the principal portal entry route, but some small vessels and lymphatics also use other hepatic surfaces.
Overview
The porta hepatis is the transverse hilar region between the caudate and quadrate surfaces. Portal venous and hepatic arterial branches enter here while hepatic ducts emerge. Nerves, connective tissue and lymphatic structures accompany them into the liver.
Reference facts
- Boundaries
- Caudate region posterior/superior and quadrate surface anterior/inferior; the lesser omentum attaches along the hilar margins.
- Contents
- Portal vein branches, hepatic arterial branches, hepatic ducts, autonomic nerves and lymphatic tissue. Ducts are generally anterior and portal veins posterior, with variable branching arrangements.
- Communications
- Continues into the hepatoduodenal ligament, linking the hepatic hilum with the proximal duodenum and portal pedicle.
Clinical correlation
A tumor near the hepatic duct confluence can obstruct one or both sides of biliary drainage depending on its extent. The neighboring portal and arterial branches are important relations when the lesion is mapped on imaging.
Frequently asked questions
What are the boundaries of the porta hepatis?
Caudate region posterior/superior and quadrate surface anterior/inferior; the lesser omentum attaches along the hilar margins.
What does the porta hepatis contain?
Portal vein branches, hepatic arterial branches, hepatic ducts, autonomic nerves and lymphatic tissue. Ducts are generally anterior and portal veins posterior, with variable branching arrangements.
What does the porta hepatis communicate with?
The porta hepatis communicates with the continues into the hepatoduodenal ligament, linking the hepatic hilum with the proximal duodenum and portal pedicle.