Figure 1c. Normal gray-scale US appearance. (a) Subcostal oblique US image obtained through the hepatic confluence shows the middle and left hepatic veins. The hepatic parenchyma appears homogeneous. (b) Right paramedian sagittal US image obtained through the liver and inferior vena cava (IVC) shows the staples (arrows) of the end-to-end IVC anastomosis, the middle hepatic vein, and normal hepatic parenchyma. (c, d) Intercostal gray-scale US (c) and color Doppler (d) images obtained through the anterior axillary line show the porta hepatis along the long axis. On the gray-scale image (c), the portal vein is easily identified. Often, the hepatic artery (arrows) is identified only with color Doppler imaging.