The variable origin of the hepatic arteries is well known from pathological and angiographic studies. Four main variants have been described. The common hepatic artery arising from the celiac artery is the most common type found in 70% of subjects. It can be helpful to be aware of the different patterns of hepatic artery branching in the interpretation of ultrasound examinations. This anatomy is most easily demonstrated by the use of real-time equipment.

During the last two years a total of 53 liver angiomas in 35 patients were examined by sonography. The angiomatous nature of these lesions was proven by angiography, CT, laparotomy, laparoscopy or autopsy. In this material the most striking sonographic data are the reflective character of the angiomas (94%), the subcapsular location (70%), the small size under 2 cm. (32%) and the multiplicity (35%). 90% of the lesions larger than 3 cm. tend to display polylobular contours.