Anatomy of the Liver

Study Notes

Location and Structure

• The liver is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm. • It is a vital organ, protected by the rib cage. • The liver is divided into four lobes: right, left, caudate, and quadrate.

Lobes and Segments

• The right and left lobes are separated by the falciform ligament. • The caudate lobe is located on the posterior surface of the liver, and the quadrate lobe is located on the inferior surface. • The liver is further divided into eight segments, each with its own blood supply and bile drainage.

Blood Supply

• The liver receives blood from two sources: 1. Oxygenated blood: from the hepatic artery, which arises from the celiac artery. 2. Nutrient-rich blood: from the hepatic portal vein, which carries blood from the digestive organs.

Bile Production and Drainage

• The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder. • Bile is transported through the right and left hepatic ducts, which merge to form the common hepatic duct. • The common hepatic duct joins the cystic duct from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct. • The common bile duct empties into the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.

Functional Units

• The liver is composed of functional units called hepatic lobules. • Each lobule consists of a central vein surrounded by hepatic cells (hepatocytes) and sinusoids. • Hepatocytes perform various metabolic functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and glycogen storage. • Sinusoids are specialized blood vessels that allow for the exchange of substances between the blood and hepatocytes.