Which ligament connects the liver to the proximal duodenum?

• A. Hepatoduodenal
• B. Gastrohepatic
• C. Falciform
• D. Coronary

Answer: (A)

The hepatoduodenal ligament connects the liver to the proximal part of the duodenum. It is the thickened free edge of the lesser omentum extending from the porta hepatis to the first part of the duodenum, and it houses the portal triad—the portal vein, hepatic artery proper, and common bile duct. This arrangement makes it a key structure when considering hepatic inflow and biliary drainage, and clinically it’s the component of the lesser omentum that’s central in maneuvers to control bleeding from the liver. In contrast, the gastrohepatic ligament attaches the liver to the stomach, the falciform ligament ties the liver to the anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm, and the coronary ligaments attach the liver to the diaphragm—none of which connect the liver to the proximal duodenum.