HEPATIC ARTERY Meaning and
Definition
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The hepatic artery is a vital blood vessel that supplies oxygen-rich blood to the liver. It is one of the three major branches of the celiac trunk, which is a primary branch of the abdominal aorta. This artery is responsible for delivering approximately 25% of the total blood supply that reaches the liver.
The hepatic artery arises just below the diaphragm and branches into smaller blood vessels as it enters the liver. These smaller branches distribute the oxygenated blood throughout the liver parenchyma, ensuring the organ's metabolic requirements are met. During the branching process, the hepatic artery gradually decreases in size, progressing from larger vessels to tiny capillaries. This network of capillaries allows exchange of substances like oxygen and nutrients with the liver cells, supporting their vital functions.
The hepatic artery plays a crucial role in the liver's function by providing it with oxygenated blood necessary for various metabolic processes. This includes the metabolism of nutrients, detoxification, synthesis of proteins, bile production, and storage of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, the hepatic artery also carries immune cells, such as lymphocytes, to support the liver's immune functions.
Clinical conditions that affect the hepatic artery can significantly impact liver health and its overall function. Various diseases, such as hepatic artery stenosis or thrombosis, can lead to inadequate blood supply to the liver, potentially causing tissue damage and dysfunction. Medical interventions, such as hepatic artery embolization or hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy, may be performed in certain cases for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
Common Misspellings for HEPATIC ARTERY
- gepatic artery
- bepatic artery
- nepatic artery
- jepatic artery
- uepatic artery
- yepatic artery
- hwpatic artery
- hspatic artery
- hdpatic artery
- hrpatic artery
- h4patic artery
- h3patic artery
- heoatic artery
- helatic artery
- he-atic artery
- he0atic artery
- hepztic artery
- hepstic artery
- hepwtic artery
Etymology of HEPATIC ARTERY
The word "hepatic" derives from the Latin word "hepar", meaning "liver". The term "hepatic artery" refers to the artery that supplies blood to the liver. The Latin "arteria" comes from the Greek word "άρτηρία" (artería), which refers to a windpipe or artery. It ultimately traces back to the ancient Greek word "αήρ" (aér), meaning "air" or "breath". Over time, "arteria" was used to refer to the blood vessels that were believed to carry air or vital spirit throughout the body. Hence, the term "hepatic artery" combines the Latin word "hepar" with the Greek term "arteria" for a vessel supplying blood to the liver.
Similar spelling words for HEPATIC ARTERY
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