Which artery does the common hepatic artery drain into?

The common hepatic artery is a major blood vessel that branches from the celiac trunk, which supplies blood to the liver, gallbladder, and parts of the stomach and duodenum. One of its key branches is the gastroduodenal artery, which is important for supplying blood to the stomach and the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum).

When discussing the anatomy of the common hepatic artery, it is important to understand that this artery diversifies into several branches to ensure the proper perfusion of the abdominal organs. The gastroduodenal artery is a critical part of this branching, supplying the duodenum and parts of the stomach, among other areas.

Moreover, other arteries listed do not directly stem from the common hepatic artery. For instance, the right gastric artery is typically a branch of the hepatic artery proper that primarily supplies the lesser curvature of the stomach. The short gastric artery originates from the splenic artery, and the left gastroepiploic artery branches from the splenic artery as well. Thus, recognizing the gastroduodenal artery as a direct continuation and branch of the common hepatic artery places it as the correct answer in the context of its drainage and blood supply functions.