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Right hepatic artery

The right hepatic artery (RHA) is a major intrahepatic branch of the proper hepatic artery, which itself arises from the common hepatic artery (a branch of the celiac trunk). The RHA typically originates after the hepatic artery proper bifurcates into the right and left hepatic arteries at the porta hepatis.

It courses upward and to the right, usually passing posterior to the common hepatic duct, to enter the right lobe of the liver. Once inside the liver, it divides into anterior and posterior segmental branches, supplying the functional segments V–VIII of the liver according to Couinaud’s classification.

The RHA plays a vital role in arterial perfusion of the liver, contributing 25–30% of its blood supply (the rest from the portal vein), and is critical for biliary perfusion, especially the common bile duct. It demonstrates frequent anatomical variations, with possible origins from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), left hepatic artery, or gastroduodenal artery.

Synonyms

  • RHA

  • Arteria hepatica dextra

  • Right branch of proper hepatic artery

Function

  • Supplies oxygenated blood to the right lobe of the liver (segments V–VIII)

  • Provides important arterial supply to the biliary tree, especially the common bile duct

  • Contributes to the dual blood supply of the liver along with the portal vein

  • Forms part of the critical vascular anatomy in hepatic surgery, transplantation, and interventional radiology

Branches

  • Anterior segmental branch → supplies segments V and VIII

  • Posterior segmental branch → supplies segments VI and VII

  • Cystic artery (usually from RHA) → supplies the gallbladder

MRI Appearance

T1-weighted images:

  • Lumen appears as a signal void (black) due to rapid arterial blood flow

  • Vessel wall appears hypointense; surrounding hepatic parenchyma provides contrast

T2-weighted images:

  • Flowing blood remains a signal void

  • Perivascular edema, inflammation, or tumor invasion may appear hyperintense

STIR (Short Tau Inversion Recovery):

  • Suppresses fat, improving contrast between vessel and adjacent parenchyma

  • Highlights perivascular edema, inflammation, or tumor infiltration as hyperintense areas

T1 Post-Contrast (Gadolinium-enhanced):

  • RHA enhances brightly and homogeneously

  • Essential for mapping hepatic arterial anatomy, stenosis, aneurysm, or dissection

  • Enhances visualization of intrahepatic branching pattern

MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography):

  • Contrast-enhanced MRA: provides high-resolution depiction of origin, branching, and variations

  • Excellent for preoperative planning in liver transplantation, resection, and interventional procedures

CT Appearance

Non-contrast CT:

  • Appears as a tubular soft tissue density structure in the porta hepatis region

  • Not well visualized without contrast, unless calcified plaques are present

CT Angiography (CTA):

  • Clearly demonstrates the origin, course, and intrahepatic branches of the RHA

  • Useful for identifying anatomical variations, stenosis, aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, or tumor encasement

  • Crucial for liver transplant planning, hepatic resections, and embolization procedures

  • 3D reconstructions provide detailed vascular mapping of the hepatic artery tree

MRI image

Right hepatic artery anatomy MRI axial image -img-00000-00000

CT images

Right hepatic artery anatomy ct axial image -img-00000-00000

CT images

Right hepatic artery anatomy ct axial image -img-00000-00000_00001

CT images

Right hepatic artery ct axial image