Variations in the anatomy of extrahepatic biliary apparatus (EHBA) has been a subject of extended research due to its clinical implications. Cholecystectomy is the commonly performed abdominal surgeries and its safety requires the adequate appreciation of anatomical abnormalities of the extrahepatic biliary tree to decrease the morbidity and mortality of the surgery. Abnormalities of the major ducts and presence of accessory ducts give rise to preoperative difculties and postoperative complications. Background & objectives: To study the normal anatomy of common hepatic duct and its variations. With the Methods: aim of the above study, a prospective descriptive study was conducted on 55 specimens with reference to the ducts. Different parameters were used as union of right and left hepatic ducts and common hepatic duct measurements and looked for variations such as accessory hepatic ducts. Results & discussion: Extrahepatic union of right and left hepatic ducts seen in 98% cases and intrahepatic union in 2%. Length of common hepatic duct varied from 1.5 to 4.7 cm with an average of 2.9cm. Accessory hepatic ducts were seen in 7 cases (13%) in which 2 joined the common hepatic duct, 1 joined LHD and 3 were to the cystic duct. All the ndings of the ducts are to enlighte Conclusions: n the anatomical knowledge of the anatomists, general and laparoscopic surgeons, oncosurgeons and to the transplant surgeons which are abundantly useful.

The right hepatic artery is an end artery and contributes sole arterial supply to right lobe of the liver . It also supplies the gall bladder, cystic duct, common hepatic duct and upper and middle part of common bile duct. Normal hepatic arterial anatomy occurs in approximately in 80% of cases, for the remaining 20% multiple variations have been described. Misinterpretation of anatomical variations of the right hepatic artery contribute to the major intraoperative mishaps and complications in hepatobiliary surgery. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study conducted on 50 cadavers in Department of Anatomy,Govt Medical College, Kozhikode to document the normal anatomy and different variations of right hepatic artery regarding its origin and relation with the common hepatic duct. Results : Right hepatic artery had its origin from proper hepatic artery in 47 (94%) cases, in one case the artery came from common hepatic artery, aberrant origin of right hepatic artery was seen in 4% cases, one case from celiac trunk directly and the other from superior mesenteric artery. Relation with common hepatic duct : In 46 cases (92%) the artery (normal and aberrant) passes posterior to common hepatic duct. In 6%, the artery was related anterior to common hepatic duct. In one case the artery was medial to the common hepatic duct. Conclusions : This study highlights the importance of knowledge of such anomalies since their awareness will decrease morbidity and help to keep away from a number of surgical complications.