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Hepatomesenteric trunk
G Kahraman1, T Marur, E Tanyeli
1Department of Anatomy, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Tr-34303 Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
A rare anatomical variation showed a combined hepatomesenteric trunk and a gastrosplenic trunk from the aorta, with no celiac trunk. This arterial anomaly has implications for surgical procedures.
Area of Science:
- Vascular anatomy
- Human embryology
- Surgical anatomy
Background:
- The celiac trunk is a major artery supplying the upper abdominal organs.
- Variations in the celiac trunk and its branches are well-documented.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for surgical planning.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old male cadaver presented an unusual arterial configuration.
- A hepatomesenteric trunk, formed by the common hepatic and superior mesenteric arteries, was identified.
- The left gastric and splenic arteries originated from the abdominal aorta as a common gastrosplenic trunk, bypassing a typical celiac trunk.
Findings:
- The hepatomesenteric trunk coursed posterior to the portal vein.
- Absence of the standard celiac trunk was noted.
- A common origin for the common hepatic and superior mesenteric arteries was observed.
Implications:
- Knowledge of this common hepatic artery variation is vital for pancreaticoduodenectomy.
- Awareness is important for procedures involving hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy.
- Anatomical variations necessitate careful pre-operative assessment and surgical technique adaptation.
Abstract:
An hepatomesenteric trunk, formed by the common hepatic and superior mesenteric arteries, was found in a 50-year-old male cadaver. The left gastric and splenic arteries arose as a common trunk, the gastrosplenic trunk, from the abdominal aorta; no typical celiac trunk was present. In addition, the hepatomesenteric trunk passed posterior to the portal vein. A knowledge of variations of the common hepatic artery may be important in pancreaticoduodenectomy, as well as during hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy.