Intrahepatic Distribution of The Hepatic Veins and Biliary Ducts In American Mink Liver (Mustela vison)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the intrahepatic ramification of hepatic veins and biliary ducts in American mink liver. Minks are not classical laboratory animals, but with the expansion of fur farming these animals have become available for many biomedical researches. Hepatic veins and biliary ducts of the mink liver were studied by dissection and injection corrosion technique. We determined three main hepatic veins: vena hepatica sinistra (VHS), vena hepatica media (VHM) and vena hepatica dextra (VHD). The largest branch is VHS, which drains blood from the left lateral and left medial lobe of the liver. The corrosion cast of the biliary ducts revealed two main excretory bile ducts, ductus hepaticus sinister (DHS) and dexter (DHD). The left bile duct (DHS) collects bile from the left lateral, left medial, quadrate lobe and the papillary process of the caudate lobe.