Intermediate branch of left hepatic artery

The Intermediate branch of the left hepatic artery (segment IV artery) refers to a segmental arterial branch arising from the left hepatic artery that supplies the hepatic parenchyma of segment IV.

The left hepatic artery typically arises from the common hepatic artery (via the proper hepatic artery) and courses toward the left lobe of the liver within the hepatoduodenal ligament. As it enters the liver hilum, it divides into branches supplying the lateral segments (segments II and III) and the medial segment (segment IV). The intermediate branch is the vessel directed toward segment IV and may arise:

• Directly from the left hepatic artery (most common)

• From the right hepatic artery

• From the proper hepatic artery or the bifurcation of the proper hepatic artery