hepatic (hip-at-ik) adj. relating to the liver. h. duct see bile duct. h. encephalopathy (portosystemic encephalopathy) a condition in which brain function is impaired by the presence of toxic substances, absorbed from the colon, which are normally removed or detoxified by the liver. h. flexure the bend in the colon, just underneath the liver, where the ascending colon joins the transverse colon. h. vein one of several veins that drain blood from the liver directly into the inferior vena cava.

he·pat·ic / həˈpatik/ • adj. of or relating to the liver: right and left hepatic ducts.• n. Bot. less common term for liverwort.

hepatic Of or relating to the liver. For example, the hepatic portal vein (see hepatic portal system) and the hepatic artery supply blood to the liver, and the hepatic vein carries blood away from the liver.

hepatic pert. to the liver, liver-coloured. XV. L. hēpaticus — Gr. hēpatikōs. f. hêpar, hēpat- liver; see -IC.