Left branch of hepatic portal vein

The left branch of the hepatic portal vein (left portal vein; LPV) presents two main portions succesively: a transverse part, the initial portion that runs transversely in the porta hepatis, behind the segment IV of liver, and an umbilical part (UPLPV), that have as sagittal orientation before reaching the left lobe of liver.

The left branch of the hepatic portal vein supplies segments II, III, and IV of the liver. Segment II is usually supplied by a single large vein in most cases, while segment III consistently has one vein arising from the left horn of the UPLPV. Segment IV receives multiple veins, primarily originating from the right horn of the UPLPV.

The branching pattern of the left branch of the hepatic portal vein can vary, with bifurcation being the most common, followed by trifurcation and quadrifurcation in fewer cases.