The arterial blood supply to the biliary system is mainly provided by the hepatic artery and its branches. The hepatic artery arises from the celiac trunk, which branches off the abdominal aorta.

Arterial blood supply of gallbladder

The gallbladder is supplied by the cystic artery. It usually originates from the right hepatic artery and passes posterolateral to the common hepatic duct. After reaching the neck of the gallbladder, it divides into superficial and deep branches. Both anastomoses with each other at the level of the body and fundus.

The superficial branch supplies inferior aspects of the body.
The deep branch provides arterial blood supply to the superior parts of the body.

Arterial blood supply of intrahepatic biliary tree

The intrahepatic biliary ducts are supplied by the segmental branches of the left and right hepatic arteries and the intrahepatic arteries that form a capillary network around the ducts.

Arterial blood supply of extrahepatic biliary tree

The extrahepatic parts of the right and left hepatic ducts are supplied by the branches of the right and left hepatic arteries. These branches form a plexus near the hepatic hilum.

The common hepatic, cystic and proximal common bile ducts are supplied by small branches coming from the cystic artery. These branches are known as the Calot’s arteries.

Overall, the common bile duct receives arterial blood supply from several small ascending and descending arteries along its length:

The descending arteries mainly come from the right hepatic artery and cystic artery.
The ascending branches arise from the gastroduodenal, posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal, supraduodenal and retroportal arteries.

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Arterial blood supply