AAMC FL Practice Exam

Which artery is responsible for delivering oxygenated blood directly to the liver?

1. Hepatic vein

2. Superior mesenteric artery

3. Hepatic artery

4. Inferior vena cava

The correct answer is: Hepatic artery

The hepatic artery is responsible for delivering oxygenated blood directly to the liver. This artery branches from the celiac trunk and supplies the liver with oxygen-rich blood, which is essential for the organ’s metabolic functions, including bile production, detoxification, and nutrient processing. The liver has a unique dual blood supply, receiving blood from both the hepatic artery and the portal vein, but it is the hepatic artery that provides the oxygen required for the liver cells to function effectively. In contrast, the hepatic vein carries deoxygenated blood away from the liver to the inferior vena cava, facilitating the return of blood to the heart. The superior mesenteric artery primarily supplies the intestines, and while it plays an important role in providing blood to the digestive system, it does not directly supply the liver with oxygenated blood. The inferior vena cava is a large vein that transports deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body back to the heart, further underscoring its role in venous return rather than oxygen delivery.