Anatomy of the Liver Flashcards
What are the four main functions of the liver?
- Detoxification
- Protein synthesis
- Production of bile
- To store glycogen
Location of the liver with respect to the diaphragm, stomach, colon and gallbladder.
- Below the diaphragm
- To the right of the stomach
- Above the colon
- Overlies the gallbladder
What are the two anterior lobes of the liver?
Left and right
What are the two posterior lobes of the liver?
Quadrate and caudate
What separates the left and right lobes?
- Falciform ligament separates them anteriorly
- Lesser omentum separates them posteriorly
What separates the caudate and quadrate lobe?
Porta hepatis
What is the only part of the liver that isn’t covered in visceral peritoneum?
Bare area
What does the falciform ligament connect the upper surface of the liver to?
Diaphragm
What does the lesser omentum connect the liver to?
Stomach
What is the blood supply to the foregut, midgut and hindgut?
- Foregut = Coeliac artery/trunk
- Midgut = Superior mesenteric artery
- Hindgut = Inferior mesenteric artery
What does the coeliac artery divide into?
- Left gastric artery
- Splenic artery
- Hepatic artery
What level is the coeliac artery at?
T12 / L1
What enters/exits the Porta hepatic?
- Hepatic portal vein
- Hepatic artery proper
- Common hepatic duct
- Nerves and lymphatics
What is a portal triad?
This is when the divisions of the bile duct accompany those of the hepatic artery and hepatic portal vein. They supply each segment of the liver.
Describe the venous drainage of the liver.
1) Central vein (located at the centre of hepatic lobules) receives mixed blood from the hepatic aftery and portal vein.
2) Central vein then drains into sublobular veins.
3) Sublobular vein then drains into hepatic veins.
