Which organ is supplied with oxygenated blood by the hepatic artery?

• A. Stomach
• B. Gall bladder
• C. Pancreas
• D. Liver

Answer: (D)

The hepatic artery is the main source of oxygenated blood to the liver. The liver has a dual blood supply: oxygen-rich blood from the hepatic artery and nutrient-rich blood from the portal vein. This arrangement ensures hepatocytes get enough oxygen for their metabolic tasks while also receiving substrates processed from the gut. While the gallbladder does receive blood via the cystic artery, which branches from the hepatic artery, the liver is the primary organ directly supplied with oxygenated arterial blood by the hepatic artery. The stomach and pancreas rely on other arteries (like gastric and pancreaticoduodenal branches) rather than the hepatic artery as their main source.