Medial Segmental Artery of Liver

Origin

The medial segmental artery arises from the left hepatic artery, though this is quite variable.

There is great confusion in the parameters of the medial segmental artery of the liver. In many cases, it is synonymous with segmental IV artery, and even its presence is often called into question as Segmental IV artery is commonly observed as a branch of the right hepatic artery (Jin et al., 2008; Favelier et al., 2015).

Course

The medial segmental artery emerges from the left hepatic artery shortly after it enters the liver parenchyma and passes to the right as far as the umbilical fissure.

Branches

The medial segmental artery continues as Segment IV Artery, a macroscopic end artery.

Supplied Structures

The medial segmental artery supplies liver segment IV, both superiorly (segment IVa) and inferiorly (segment IVb).

References

Favelier, S., Germain, T., Genson, P. Y., Cercueil, J. P., Denys, A., Krausé, D. and Guiu, B. (2015) 'Anatomy of liver arteries for interventional radiology', Diagn Interv Imaging, 96(6), pp. 537-46.

Jin, G. Y., Yu, H. C., Lim, H. S., Moon, J. I., Lee, J. H., Chung, J. W. and Cho, B. H. (2008) 'Anatomical variations of the origin of the segment 4 hepatic artery and their clinical implications', Liver Transpl, 14(8), pp. 1180-4.