Final answer:
The hepatic artery and hepatic portal vein, accessed through the porta hepatis, are common cannulation sites for liver transplant procedures, facilitating the liver's crucial blood processing functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common sites used for cannulation during liver transplant procedures include the hepatic artery and the hepatic portal vein. These vessels are accessed via the porta hepatis, which is known as the "gate to the liver". The hepatic artery is responsible for delivering oxygenated blood from the heart to the liver, while the hepatic portal vein carries partially deoxygenated blood containing nutrients absorbed from the small intestine, along with drugs and toxins for processing. After processing these substances, the liver releases nutrients needed by other cells back into the blood, which then drains into the central vein and through the hepatic vein to the inferior vena cava. This strategic positioning facilitates the liver's critical function of managing bloodborne substances and supports the importance of these sites for successful cannulation during a liver transplant.