[Accessory hepatic arteries and their nomenclatoric problems in radiology (author's transl)]

The numerous anatomical and radiological nomenclatures of hepatic arteries are compared and discussed. Our own material for the assessment of accessory hepatic arteries consisted of 220 anatomically prepared individuals and 74 angiograms. The individual branches in the normal case as well as all variations and their frequency are discussed. The present, often confusing nomenclature is critically reviewed and an attempt is made to establish a simple and clinically acceptable nomenclature. We propose to name the additional branches supplying the liver as 'arteria hepatica accessoria' with reference to the vessel from which they originate. Additional branches in the terminal branching (ramus accessorius) and vessels of the liver capsula should not be referred to as accessory hepatic arteries.