Predominant blood supply to the supraduodenal bile duct is derived from -

Blood supply of supraduodenal bile duct 1.   Axial blood supply The blood supply to the supraduodenal bile duct is essentially axial (98%). The most important of these vessels run along the lateral borders of the bile duct and are called the '3 O'clock' and 9 O'clock arteries. These, together with other smaller branches and retroportal vessels from a free anastomosis within the wall of the bile duct. 60% of the blood supply occurs from the duodenal (caudal) end of the duct primarily from branches of the retreduodenal artery (Posterior Superior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery). 38% of the blood supply occurs from the hepatic (cephalic) end of the Right Hepatic Artery. 2.   Non-axial blood supply Non-axial blood supply accounts for only 2% of blood supply to the supraduodenal bile duct. This non-axial blood supply is derived from branches of the hepatic artery proper as it runs along the common bile duct.