LIVERLARGE, SOLID GLAND THAT IS SITUATED IN THE RIGHT UPPER QUADRANT OF THE ABDOMINAL CAVITY. IT IS REDDISH BROWN IN COLOUR, SOFT IN CONSISTENCY, VERY FRIABLE. IT WEIGHS ABOUT 1600GRAMS IN MALES AND 1400GRAMS IN FEMALES.

By- Achal Sharma

LOCATION It covers the entire

Right Hypochondrium, Greater part of Epigastrium, Small Part of Left Hypochondrium reaching up to the Lateral Line.

From above it is covered by Ribs and Costal Cartilages except in the upper part of epigastrium where it is in contact with the anterior Abdominal Wall.

SURFACES OF LIVER

Liver has 5 surfaces – 1. Anterior2. Posterior3. Superior4. Inferior5. Right

Out of these Inferior surface is well defined as it is clearly demarcated, anteriorly, by a sharp inferior border.

ONE PROMINENT BORDER The inferior border is sharp anteriorly and

separates the anterior surface from inferior surface.

Laterally is rounded where it separates the right surface from inferior surface.

The sharp anterior surface is marked by- a) An Interlobular Notch or the notch for ligamentum teres. b) A cystic Notch for the fundus of the gall bladder. In the Epigastrium, the inferior border extends

from the left 8th costal cartilage to the right 9th costal cartilage.

TWO LOBES OF LIVER

Liver consists of two lobes: Right Lobe and Left Lobe by the attachments of falciform ligament anteriorly and superiorly, by the fissure of ligamentum teres inferiorly and by the fissure of ligamentum venosum posteriorly.

Caudate lobe – situated on the Posterior Surface. It is bounded by groove for inferior vena cava on the Right, by fissure for ligamentum venosum on the Left and inferiorly by porta hepatis.

Quadrate lobe – situated inferiorly and is bounded by inferior order anteriorly, porta hepatis posteriorly, fossa for gall bladder to the right and fissure for ligamentum teres to the left.

Porta hepatis – it is a 5cm long fissure, present on the Right lobe of the liver and is between caudate and quadrate lobe.

- the Portal Vein, Hepatic Artery, Hepatic Plexus of Nerves enter it and the Right and Left Hepatic Duct and few Lymphatics leave it.

BLOOD SUPPLY

80% of blood is received by Portal Vein and 20% is Received via Hepatic artery.

Before entering the liver, both hepatic artery and portal vein divide into two branches : Right and Left. These branches further divide to form Segmental vessels which further divide to form interlobular vessels.

Further Ramification of Interlobular Branches open into Hepatic Sinusoids. Thus the arterial blood mixes with the portal venous blood in Sinusoids.

VENOUS DRAINAGE

Hepatic Sinusoids

Interlobular Veins

Sublobular Veins

Hepatic Veins

Inferior Vena Cava

FUNCTIONS OF LIVER

Metabolism of Carbohydrates, Fats and Proteins. Excretion of Toxins, Bile Pigments, Cholesterol, Heavy Metals. Synthesis of Bile and Prothrombin. Storage of Glycogen, Iron, Fat, Vitamin A and D. Protective by Conjugation, Phagocytosis, Antibody Formation and

Excretion.

It’s Over!