Final answer:
The hepatic artery supplies the liver with oxygenated blood and is a branch of the common hepatic artery from the celiac trunk. It plays a vital role in delivering oxygen and nutrients for the liver's functions, complementing the hepatic portal vein's supply of nutrient-rich blood from the digestive tract.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hepatic artery is a vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the liver, one of the most vital organs in the human body. It is a branch of the common hepatic artery, which itself is a branch from the celiac trunk, originating from the abdominal aorta. The hepatic artery plays a crucial role in liver function by ensuring that this organ receives a sufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients needed for its complex and essential tasks.
Once the oxygen-rich blood reaches the liver, it enters structures known as hepatic lobules, which are hexagonal-shaped units of liver tissue. Within each lobule, the hepatic artery branches into smaller arterioles and capillaries, facilitating the distribution of oxygen and nutrients to liver cells. This system is essential for the liver's metabolic, detoxification, and synthesis functions.
In addition to the hepatic artery, the liver also receives blood from the hepatic portal vein, which carries partially deoxygenated blood containing nutrients absorbed from the small intestine. This dual blood supply is part of the hepatic portal system, which plays a key role in filtering blood from the digestive organs before it re-enters the systemic circulation. The hepatic artery complements the hepatic portal vein by providing additional oxygen necessary for the liver's highly energetic processes.