Accessory right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery: report on three cadaveric cases from Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria and review of literature

ABSTRACT

Background: The superior mesenteric artery may be the source of the common hepatic; gastroduodenal; accessory right hepatic; accessory pancreatic or splenic arteries.Objective: To present three cases of accessory right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery in black African cadavers as found during routine cadaveric dissections.Materials and Method: The abdomens of 8 adult male black African cadavers were dissected according to the description and guidance by Romanes (1996). The superior mesenteric arteries; liver (especially the visceral surfaces); gall bladders; cystic ducts; portal veins and gastroduodenal arteries were exposed.Results: Three cadaveric cases of the accessory right hepatic arteries arising from the superior mesenteric arteries were observed. One of the cases was noticed to give a cystic branch.Conclusion: Since there are no Nigerian studies on the accessory right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery; these reports might contribute useful data to the literature regarding the same