Hepatic veins

Structure

All the hepatic veins drain into the inferior vena cava. The hepatic veins are divided into an upper and a lower group.

Upper group

The upper group consists of three hepatic veins - the right, middle, and left hepatic veins - draining the central veins from the right, middle, and left regions of the liver and are larger than the lower group of veins. The veins of the upper group drain into the suprahepatic part of the inferior vena cava (i.e. part superior to the liver).

Right hepatic vein

The right hepatic vein is the longest and largest of all the hepatic veins. It drains the liver segments VI and VII in their entirety, and variably participates in the drainage of segments V and VIII; the extent of drainage of the latter two segments by the right hepatic veins as opposed to the middle hepatic vein and possible variant accessory veins determines the calibre of the right hepatic vein. It arises anteriorly near the inferior border of the liver, coursing along the right portal fissure to drain into the inferior vena cava near the superior margin of the caudate lobe. It usually reaches the inferior vena cava as a single vessel, but sometimes drains into it as two separate trunks.

Middle hepatic vein

The middle hepatic vein drains the central portion of the liver, draining segments IV, V, and VIII. The middle hepatic vein most often joins the left hepatic vein to form a short common trunk to drain jointly into the inferior vena cava; the middle hepatic vein drains into the inferior vena cava as a separate vessel in less than 10% of individuals.

Left hepatic vein

The left hepatic vein usually drains liver segments II and III, and occasionally also segment IV. The umbilical fissure vein is a major tributary of the left hepatic vein. The left hepatic vein most often forms a short common trunk with the middle hepatic vein before these jointly drain into the inferior vena cava.

Lower group

The lower group consists of 6-20 smaller hepatic veins which drain the right lobe and the caudate lobe, are in contact with the hepatic tissue, and are valveless. All veins of the lower group drain into the retrohepatic part of the inferior vena cava (i.e. part posterior to the liver).

The lower group consists of 1-5 veins draining the liver segment I, and may consist of (inconsistently present) accessory inferior hepatic vein, accessory middle right hepatic vein, and several smaller retrohepatic veins draining the right lobe of the liver.