The surgical anatomy of the porta hepatis

The anatomy of the porta hepatis, with particular emphasis on the hilar relationships of the bile ducts to the portal vein, has been investigated in 30 fresh cadaver specimens. Meticulous dissertion delineated three major types of anatomic variations. Type A, the most common, revealed a left hepatic duct which, when it branched, sent its largest and major tributary beneath the portal vein to the lateral segment of the left lobe. Type B was characterized by the major division of the left hepatic duct running parallel to the portal vein into the hepatic sulcus. In Type C the divisions were of equal caliber. These observations should assist the surgeon in dissections of the hepatic ducts above their confluence.