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Right branch of hepatic portal vein

The right branch of the hepatic portal vein is the major intrahepatic division of the portal vein that delivers nutrient-rich blood to the right lobe of the liver. After the portal vein enters the liver at the porta hepatis, it divides into right and left branches.

The right portal vein is typically larger and shorter than the left. It courses laterally and divides into anterior and posterior sectoral branches:

  • The anterior branch supplies hepatic segments V and VIII.

  • The posterior branch supplies hepatic segments VI and VII.

The right branch also gives off small subsegmental veins and communicates with intrahepatic venous collaterals. Its detailed mapping is essential for hepatic surgery, transplantation, and interventional radiology.

Clinically, the right portal vein branch is of major importance in portal hypertension, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), right hepatectomy planning, and living donor liver transplantation.

Synonyms

  • Right intrahepatic portal vein

  • Right portal venous branch

  • Ramus dexter venae portae hepatis

Function

  • Supplies nutrient-rich portal blood to the right hepatic lobe (segments V–VIII)

  • Supports liver metabolism and detoxification

  • Serves as a landmark in liver resections and segmental anatomy

  • Essential in TIPS creation and portal venous interventions

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Right portal vein branch appears as a dark flow void (black lumen) against intermediate liver signal

  • Portal vein wall may be visible with high resolution

T2-weighted images:

  • Appears as a dark signal void; adjacent congestion or edema appears hyperintense

  • Useful in identifying thrombosis (intermediate/high signal filling defect)

STIR:

  • Suppresses fat and highlights surrounding pathology

  • Accentuates perivascular edema or inflammatory change

T1 Fat-Saturated (Pre-contrast):

  • Lumen often appears intermediate signal, standing out against suppressed fat in hepatic hilum

  • Improves conspicuity compared to non–fat-sat sequences

T1 Fat-Saturated Post-Contrast (Gadolinium):

  • Right portal vein branch enhances brightly in the portal venous phase

  • Allows assessment of patency, thrombosis, cavernous transformation, or collaterals

MRV (Magnetic Resonance Venography):

  • Provides detailed mapping of portal vein anatomy and intrahepatic branching

  • Clearly demonstrates division into anterior and posterior sectoral branches

  • Useful in transplant planning, portal hypertension, and tumor invasion assessment

CT Appearance

CT Pre-Contrast:

  • Right portal vein seen as a tubular soft-tissue density in hepatic hilum

  • Not well distinguished from parenchyma without contrast

CT Post-Contrast:

  • Brightly enhances during portal venous phase

  • Demonstrates patency, branching, and segmental distribution

  • Detects filling defects from thrombus or tumor invasion

CTV (CT Venography):

  • Gold standard for non-invasive portal venous mapping

  • Multiplanar and 3D reconstructions show the right portal vein division into anterior and posterior branches

  • Critical for donor evaluation, hepatectomy planning, and interventional radiology

MRI images

Right branch of hepatic portal vein MRI coronal anatomy image -img-00000-00000

MRI images

Right branch of hepatic portal vein MRI sag anatomy image -img-00000-00000

CT images

Right branch of hepatic portal vein ct coronal