Hepaticocystic duct and a rare extra-hepatic "cruciate" arterial anastomosis: a case report

INTRODUCTION: The variations in the morphological characteristics of the extra-hepatic biliary system are interesting. CASE PRESENTATION: During the dissection of cadavers to study the morphological characteristics of the extra-hepatic biliary system, a 46-year-old male cadaver was found to have drainage of the common hepatic duct drains directly into the gall bladder neck. The right and left hepatic ducts were not seen extra-hepatically. Further drainage of the bile away from the gallbladder and into the duodenum was provided by the cystic duct. Formation of the common bile duct by the union of the common hepatic duct and cystic duct was absent. Further more the right hepatic artery was found to be communicating with the left hepatic artery by a "bridging artery" after giving rise to the cystic artery. An accessory hepatic artery originated from the "bridging artery" forming a "cruciate" hepatic arterial anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Combination of a Hepaticocystic duct and an aberrant variation in the extra-hepatic arterial system is extremely rare.