[Origin of the hepatic artery in the embryo and fetus].

Study of the hepatic artery in 52 human foetuses and 4 embryos. The authors compare their findings to those published on adults. They underline the higher frequency of the hepatic artery arising out of the left gastric artery (67%) in foetuses and embryos, either associated to the common hepatic artery only (55,4%) or to both the common hepatic artery and the right hepatic artery (12,5%). Graphic reconstruction of foetal hepatic arteries shows two important lines of force one coming from the coeliac trunk - the future common hepatic artery, the other arising from the left gastric artery - the future left hepatic artery. At the 19th stage according to Streeter, the definitive disposition is attained.