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The topographic anatomy of the ventral margin of the caudate lobe of the human liver is still obscure. We hypothesized the existence of a “precaudate plane”, as a flat or slightly curved plane defined by the ventral margins of both the ligamentum venosum and hilar plate. Using 61 cadaveric liver specimens, without great differences in external shape or significant variations in the hilar bifurcation, we examined whether the paracaval caudate branches (PCs) ran through the plane to the ventral side. In 22 of the 61 specimens (36.1%), the PC extended over the plane for less than 10 mm (10 specimens), for 10?20 mm (7 specimens), or for more than 20 mm (5 specimens). The ventral extension consistently included the dome-like area under the terminals of the middle and right hepatic veins. Therefore, the ventrally extended PCs often interdigitated with these veins and their tributaries. The ventral extension often reached the upper, diaphragmatic surface. However, several branches were too difficult to discriminate from the PC, especially those with morphologies intermediate between the PC and segmental portal branches to S4 or S2. We discuss how to identify and manage the ventrally extended PCs before and during surgery.
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