An Anatomical Variant of the Accessory Right Hepatic Artery Arising From the Superior Mesenteric Artery: A Cadaveric Case Report.

The right hepatic artery (RHA) provides blood flow to the right lobe of the liver. In typical anatomy, the RHA branches from the proper hepatic artery, which branches from the common hepatic artery originating from the celiac trunk of the abdominal aorta. During a standard cadaveric dissection, a large accessory right hepatic artery (aRHA) was noted arising directly from the superior mesenteric artery. The lumen of the identified aRHA measured approximately 1 cm in diameter. The artery also appeared darker in color than the surrounding vasculature, with no evidence of prior surgery or procedures. The size and position of this variant are important to note before surgery, given its large size and its significant role in supplying the liver. This highlights the importance of thorough preoperative vascular imaging to identify such anomalies and prevent inadvertent vascular injury.