Liver Anatomy and Palpation

A clinician palpates a patient's liver during a routine examination. Which instruction is most appropriate to give the patient to facilitate effective palpation?

The liver is located in which abdominal quadrant?

Which anatomical structure provides the most direct protection to the liver?

During a physical examination, a medical student attempts to locate the upper border of the liver. Following the standard anatomical guidelines, which of the following best describes the location of the upper border?

A patient reports pain in the right upper quadrant during deep inspiration. Which anatomical structure's movement is most likely causing this discomfort?

The liver extends into which of the following regions?

Regarding the anatomical location of the liver, it crosses midline to which of the following?

Estimate the liver's mass as a percentage of total adult body weight.

Which of the following structures is NOT directly connected to the liver's visceral surface?

The 'H' shape on the visceral surface of the liver is formed by sagittal fissures connected by which structure?

Which of the following accurately describes the location of the left triangular ligament?

The round ligament of the liver is a remnant of which fetal structure?

Which structure is NOT a border of the quadrate lobe?

The hepatorenal recess (Morison's pouch) is a potential site for fluid collection because of its location between the visceral surface of the liver and which other structures?

Which of the following best describes the falciform ligament's attachments?

Which of the following structures is a remnant of the fetal ductus venosus?

A surgeon needs to divide the liver into its functional right and left lobes. Which anatomical landmark should they primarily consider?

Which of the following best describes the location and relationship of the coronary ligament to the bare area of the liver?

Which anatomical lobe contains both the quadrate and caudate lobes?

The subphrenic recess is a superior extension of which of the following?

What is the key difference between anatomical and functional lobes of the liver?

In a patient with significant ascites (fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity), which recess would be the most likely location for initial fluid collection when the patient is lying supine (on their back)?

During fetal development consider the following: the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood to the fetus, which is then partially shunted away from the liver via the ductus venosus. After birth, what are the remnants of these two structures, respectively?

What is the functional significance of the caudate and quadrate lobes, despite their anatomical location?

Which structural relationship is crucial for understanding the liver's venous drainage?

How does the coronary ligament contribute to the liver's anatomical positioning and stabilization?

What is the role of the left triangular ligament in relation to the liver's structure?

Which anatomical feature is located on the visceral surface of the liver between the groove for the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the fissure for the ligamentum venosum?

The functional right lobe of the liver is divided into sections by an oblique line running from the midpoint of the right lobe to the groove of the:

Which hepatic segments are contained within the right anterior section of the functional right lobe?

What is the key characteristic of the communication between the right and left hepatic arteries/ducts, and the right and left hepatic portal veins?

The Cantlie line, used to divide the liver into functional lobes, runs from the gallbladder to the:

Which of the following best describes the approximate contribution of the hepatic artery to the liver's total blood supply?

The hepatic portal vein is formed by the confluence of which two veins?

Which structures constitute the portal triad?

Prior to entering the liver, the proper hepatic artery bifurcates into which branches?

What accurately describes hepatic portal vein's function regarding nutrient transport?

The splenic-mesenteric confluence describes the point where the splenic vein converges with which other vessel?

Hepatic veins drain blood from the liver to which major vessel?

The lack of valves in the hepatic veins has which significant clinical implication?

What are the potential consequences of impaired blood flow through the hepatic veins?

The common hepatic artery gives rise to which two terminal branches?

Why is the hepatic portal vein not considered a true vein?

Why are liver abscesses and metastatic liver cancer relatively common occurrences?

A surgeon is about to perform a procedure involving the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). Which of the following structures is the surgeon LEAST likely to encounter directly anterior to the SMV during the procedure?

A patient is diagnosed with a tumor obstructing the splenic vein near its junction with the superior mesenteric vein. Which of the following organs will experience impaired venous drainage as a direct result of this obstruction?

Following a traumatic injury, a patient is found to have a compromised inferior vena cava (IVC). Which of the following veins would NOT directly drain into the IVC?

During a surgical procedure, a surgeon identifies the celiac lymph nodes. Which of the following structures would lymph NOT pass through before reaching these nodes?

Stimulation of the hepatic nervous plexus results in vasoconstriction within the liver. Which nerve fibers are responsible for this?

A patient is experiencing difficulty with bile flow into the gallbladder. Which anatomical feature is most likely to be dysfunctional?

What is the primary function of the Sphincter of Oddi?

A patient presents with jaundice, abdominal pain, and distended abdominal veins radiating from the umbilicus (Caput Medusae). Which of the following conditions is the MOST likely underlying cause?

A patient with liver cirrhosis develops esophageal varices due to portal hypertension. This is a direct result of anastomoses between which of the following venous systems?

A patient with suspected liver disease is scheduled for a liver biopsy. During the procedure, the patient is asked to hold their breath in full expiration. What is the primary reason for this instruction?

Which of the following conditions is LEAST likely to be diagnosed via liver biopsy?

Following a motor vehicle accident, a patient is found to have a rupture in their inferior vena cava (IVC) within the retroperitoneal space. Which of the following anatomical relationships is most critical to consider to avoid further damage during surgical repair?

A surgeon is planning to remove a section of the transverse colon. To best understand the venous drainage of this section, the surgeon must have extensive knowledge of the...

A patient is diagnosed with cancer that has metastasized to the liver. Given the liver's lymphatic drainage pathways, where would you expect the cancer to spread after the hepatic nodes?

Which of the following correctly describes the primary function of the stomach?

How does the position of the stomach typically differ between individuals with a heavier build and those with a slender build?

What anatomical landmark indicates the junction between the body and pyloric part of the stomach?

Which structure forms most of the anterior wall of the omental bursa?

Which artery directly supplies the lesser curvature of the stomach?

Which of the following veins does NOT directly drain into the hepatic portal vein?

If a patient is lying in the supine position, where is the cardiac orifice of the stomach located in relation to the costal cartilage and median plane?

Which anatomical feature of the stomach is responsible for controlling the discharge of stomach contents into the duodenum?

A surgeon is operating on a patient and needs to locate the transpyloric plane. Which anatomical landmarks can they use to identify this plane?

What is the significance of the gastric canal within the stomach's interior?

A patient complains of acid reflux. Based on the text, which body type and corresponding stomach position might predispose them to this condition?

During a surgical procedure, a doctor needs to identify the fundus of the stomach. Which of the following descriptions accurately describes the fundus's location?

A patient has a blockage in the splenic vein. Which of the following veins might be affected, potentially leading to impaired drainage from the stomach?

After a large meal, the gastric folds (gastric rugae) inside the stomach are MOST likely to appear how?

Which set of structures form the 'bed of the stomach' when a person is lying in a supine position?

The Pringle maneuver involves clamping the hepatoduodenal ligament to control bleeding during liver trauma. Which structures are NOT directly within the hepatoduodenal ligament that is clamped?

If a gallstone obstructs the cystic duct, what is the most likely immediate consequence?

Which of the following accurately describes the location of the gallbladder's fundus?

What is the primary function of the spiral valves within the cystic duct?

A patient presents with jaundice and elevated liver enzymes. Imaging reveals a gallstone obstructing the common bile duct. Which condition best explains these findings?

Following a high-fat meal, which of the following events would most immediately occur in a healthy individual?

Which of the following statements best describes the role of bile in digestion?

If the cystic artery is accidentally ligated during a cholecystectomy, which part of the gallbladder would be most immediately affected?

What is the most likely composition of a yellow gallstone?

Damage to the R phrenic nerve during surgery near the gallbladder could result in what symptom?

A surgeon is identifying the boundaries of the cystohepatic triangle (of Calot) during a cholecystectomy. Which of the following structures form this triangle?

How does parasympathetic stimulation affect the gallbladder and the hepatopancreatic ampulla (Ampulla of Vater)?

Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the lymphatic drainage of the gallbladder?

A patient is diagnosed with a condition that results in the insufficient production of bile. What primary effect would this have on the digestive process?

Which portion of the gallbladder communicates bile from the body to the neck?

Which of the following best describes the lymphatic drainage pattern of the superior two-thirds of the stomach?

A patient is experiencing referred pain originating from the stomach. Which nerve transmits the sensation of pain, fullness, and nausea from the stomach to the central nervous system?

Following a vagotomy, a patient experiences delayed gastric emptying. Which of the following nerves, when intact, normally functions to relax the pyloric sphincter during gastric emptying?

A surgeon is preparing to perform a highly selective vagotomy. Which nerve branch should the surgeon target to reduce gastric secretion while preserving gastric motility?

A patient with chronic gastritis is prescribed medication that inhibits gastric acid secretion. Which of the following is a potential long-term consequence of reduced gastric acidity?

During a surgical procedure involving the lesser omentum, a surgeon needs to access the epiploic foramen. Which of the following structures serves as the anterior boundary to the epiploic foramen?

A surgeon is dissecting the hepatoduodenal ligament during a liver transplant and needs to identify the portal vein. Which of the following describes the relative position of the portal vein within this ligament?

In a Whipple procedure (pancreaticoduodenectomy), the gastroduodenal artery is ligated. From which artery does the gastroduodenal artery directly arise?

During a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a surgeon identifies the cystic artery within the Triangle of Calot. Which structures form the boundaries of this triangle?

A patient presents with a blocked cystic duct. Where would the backup of bile most likely occur?

During abdominal surgery, the falciform ligament is identified. Which structure is found within the free inferior edge of the falciform ligament?

On the visceral surface of the liver, a series of impressions from adjacent organs can be observed. Which impression is LEAST likely to be found on the visceral surface of the liver?

Following a motor vehicle accident, a patient is found to have a ruptured spleen. Which of the following best describes the relationship of the spleen to the greater omentum?

During an upper endoscopy, a patient is found to have inflammation of the stomach lining. Which of the following lifestyle factors is most associated with gastritis?

A patient presents with epigastric pain that is relieved by eating. An endoscopy reveals gastritis in the stomach. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiology of gastritis?