Interrelationship of Hepatic Veins with Separate Components of Portal Triad

Abstract

Background: The structure of the intermediate tissue between the components of the portal triad and the hepatic veins, within the zone of the portocaval connective tissue connections, depends on which of the elements of the triad is close to the hepatic vein because the connective tissue surrounding each of the elements of the triad has its characteristic specificity. Within the framework of the portocaval connective tissue connection, the interrelationship of the hepatic veins with the elements of the portal triad varies. Objectives: The goal of this study is to determine the direct connection of individual components of the portal triad with the hepatic veins. Methods: Histotopographic and histological preparations from the archival materials of the Department of Clinical Anatomy and Operative Surgery were used for the investigation. The tissue samples material was prepared from 45 livers of adults of both sexes. In addition, the documented archival samples of the preparations, which had been prepared with the macro-microscopic classical preparation method from the liver of adults whose cause of death was unrelated to liver pathology, were also used. Results: In some zones of the intersection of the portal tract and the hepatic vein, their connective tissue sheath appears to create a nodular form, in the thickness of which the hepatic veins establish a direct relationship with the components of the portal triad. The components of the portal and caval systems are united by a common connective tissue compartment. Conclusions: In the portocaval complex of the liver, the hepatic vein is connected to the components of the hepatic portal triad (portal vein, branches of proper hepatic artery, bile ducts) as the fourth element of this triad. All of them are surrounded by a perivascular fibrous capsule, which may contribute to spreading the inflammatory processes from the bile ducts to the hepatic veins.