On an axial contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen at the level of the porta hepatis, the structures are arranged from anterior to posterior in which order?

• A Common bile duct, proper hepatic artery, portal vein ✓
• B Proper hepatic artery, common bile duct, portal vein
• C Portal vein, proper hepatic artery, common bile duct
• D Common bile duct, portal vein, proper hepatic artery

Explanation

At the porta hepatis, the anterior-to-posterior arrangement is common bile duct (rightmost anterior), proper hepatic artery (leftmost anterior, slightly posterior to bile duct), and portal vein (posterior). This is the classic 'CBD, hepatic artery, portal vein' relationship and is fundamental to hepatobiliary surgery and radiology. The portal vein is the most posterior of the three.

Reference: Gray's Anatomy, 42nd ed.

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