Vascular anatomy of canine hepatic venous system

Canine liver vascular anatomy is still unclear. The aim of our study is to provide a comprehensive and detailed description of canine hepatic venous system. Nine livers were perfused with 10% formalin solution. After mechanical removal of the parenchyma portal and hepatic vein system casts were obtained and data collected. The liver could be divided in two separate sections: right and left. The right one is perfused by the right portal branch and drained in the caudal vena cava by two separate vessels. The left section is perfused by the left portal branch and drained by a single main hepatic vein collecting blood from a central and a left veins, except for two solitary veins that drain individually in the caudal vena cava. Basing on our results hepatic parenchyma can be divided in two main segments by the portal venous system and this not match the traditional anatomical subdivision based on the liver scissures. Though anatomical scissures allow to divide the gland in four lobes: left, right, quadrate and caudate, we suggest a new nomenclature and division of liver parenchyma on the basis of portal venous perfusion as in the man.