Liver Vascular Anatomy and Doppler Ultrasound - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key vascular and anatomical terms related to the liver and its ultrasound examination.

Mickey Mouse sign

The portal triad (common bile duct, hepatic artery, and portal vein) seen together at the porta hepatis, forming a Mickey Mouse-like appearance on ultrasound.

Porta hepatis

The hepatic hilum where the portal triad enters the liver and the portal vein bifurcates; the gateway to the liver’s vascular and biliary systems.

Portal triad

The three structures in the porta hepatis: portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct.

Portal vein

Major venous vessel bringing blood from the GI tract to the liver; intrahepatic branches form right and left portal veins; normally hepatopedal flow toward the liver.

Hepatic artery

Arterial supply to the liver; arises from the common hepatic artery and bifurcates into the left and right hepatic arteries; shows arterial Doppler waveform.

Common bile duct (CBD)

Duct carrying bile from the liver and gallbladder to the duodenum; becomes the hepatic ducts near the liver and is distinguished from the hepatic artery by lack of color Doppler flow.

Gastroduodenal artery (GDA)

Branch of the common hepatic artery that feeds the stomach and duodenum; typically gives rise to the proper hepatic artery.

Proper hepatic artery

Artery continuing into the liver after the GDA; bifurcates into left and right hepatic arteries within the liver.

Celiac axis (trunk)

Anterior branch of the aorta that gives rise to the common hepatic artery, splenic artery, and left gastric artery.

Splenic artery

Branch of the celiac axis that supplies the spleen.

Superior mesenteric vein (SMV)

Vein draining most of the small intestine and portions of the colon; joins with the splenic vein to form the portal vein at the portal confluence.

Inferior mesenteric vein (IMV)

Vein draining the distal colon; typically drains into the splenic vein, contributing to the portal system.

Portal confluence

The junction where the SMV and splenic vein (and IMV drainage) join to form the portal vein just before it enters the liver.

Right portal vein

Intrahepatic branch of the portal vein that feeds the right liver lobe; typically bifurcates into the right anterior and right posterior branches.

Left portal vein

Intrahepatic branch of the portal vein that feeds the left liver lobe; gives off multiple branches within the left lobe.

Hepatic veins

Three main veins (right, middle, left) that drain the liver into the IVC; flow is typically blue on Doppler (hepatofugal from liver to heart).

Hepatopedal

Portal flow toward the liver; the normal direction of portal vein flow on Doppler in a proper RUQ study.

Hepatofugal

Flow away from the liver; abnormal direction indicating potential portal hypertension or other pathology.

Portal hypertension

Elevated pressure in the portal venous system; can lead to clinical complications and flow abnormalities detectable on Doppler.

Seagull sign

Ultrasound view (often a celiac trunk view) that resembles a seagull; shows the celiac axis and its branches (including hepatic artery and portal vein) in a single view.

Bunny sign

Midline transverse view of the liver showing the IVC with the left and middle hepatic veins forming a 'bunny' appearance.

Moose sign

Alternative view where angling to the patient’s right reveals the right, middle, and left hepatic veins; also related to the IVC view.

Cantlie's line

A plane dividing the liver into right and left functional units, often used with segmental anatomy and surgical planning; related to the falciform ligament and middle hepatic vein.

Falciform ligament

Ligament that separates the left and right lobes of the liver on the surface and contains the ligamentum teres; serves as an anatomic landmark.

Couinaud segments (eight segments, with 4a/4b)

Functional units of the liver used for surgical planning; nine potential segments anatomically, commonly described as eight (2,3,4a,4b,5,6,7,8) with 4a/4b as subdivisions of segment 4.

Cranial-caudal liver dimension

The longest vertical liver dimension in RUQ imaging; normal value is approximately <15.5 cm in this course.

Portal vein diameter (normal threshold)

Normal portal vein width is ≤13 mm (about 1.3 cm); measurements above may prompt further evaluation.

Common hepatic duct vs left/right hepatic ducts

The ducts forming the biliary drainage: common hepatic duct (before bifurcation) vs left and right hepatic ducts (within the liver toward the liver hilum).