Calot’s triangle is an anatomic region important for safely identifying which structures during gallbladder surgery?

Calot’s triangle is an anatomic region important for safely identifying which structures during gallbladder surgery?

• A. Cystic duct and cystic artery
• B. Calot’s triangle boundaries define the cystic duct, common hepatic duct, and liver edge
• C. Hepatic duct and portal vein
• D. Inferior vena cava and hepatic veins

Answer: (A)

Calot's triangle is the surgical window used during gallbladder removal to reliably locate the vessels and ducts you need to divide. Its boundaries are the cystic duct, the common hepatic duct, and the inferior surface of the liver, and inside this space the cystic artery runs to the gallbladder while the cystic duct connects the gallbladder to the biliary tree. Knowing these structures lets you clip or divide the cystic artery and cystic duct safely, which protects the common hepatic duct and other major vessels from injury. The other structures listed aren’t the primary contents surgeons target in this region, and thus aren’t the key structures identified during this part of the procedure.