Anatomy of the liver

Question 1

What are the main functions of the liver?

Answer 1

detoxification, protein synthesis, production of bile and glycogen storage.

Question 2

describe the gross anatomy of the liver

Answer 2

anterior: right (large) and left (smaller) lobes seperated by falciform and lesser omentum. The
surface covered by peritoneum except for the bare area where it touches the diaphragm.

posterior: there is the vena cava, porta hepatis,

Question 3

Describe the 3 peritoneal folds

Answer 3

falciform ligament: attached the liver to the abdominal wall.
coronary ligament: links the diaphragm to the liver

lesser omentum: links liver to the stomach

Question 4

What artery and vein supplies the liver

Answer 4

the hepatic artery (branch of the coelic) 
portal vein (from stomach) 
hepatic vein (leaves the liver)

Question 5

What are the 3 main branches of the coelic artery

Answer 5

left gastric, splenic, hepatic

exits aorta at t12/L1 and also supplies the duodenum and pancreas

Question 6

What is the porta hepatis

Answer 6

At the hilum of the liver and is the entry point for the common hepatic vein, hepatic artery, common hepatic duct, nerves and lymphatics.

Question 7

How is the liver divided

Answer 7

the liver is divided into lobes which are subdivided into lobules which is the functional unit of the liver.

Question 8

What are the functions of hepatocytes

Answer 8

synthesis and release of albumin and clotting factors.

deaminates AA, converts bilirubin into bile pigment and production of bile salts.

Question 9

Outline venous drainage of the liver

Answer 9

Mixed blood in the sinusoids pass through the central vein in the centre of the hepatic lobule, several veins drain into the sublobular vein which drains into hepatic veins and finally drains into the inferior vena cava.

Question 10

Why is the portal venous system important

Answer 10

so blood from the digestive system is cleaned of any potential toxins before going to the heart.

Question 11

Why are portovacal anastamosis important

Answer 11

they are important if the portal vein becomes blocked or passage to the liver meets resistance- portal hypertension.
so the blood travels collateral to the liver back to the heart without which they would die.

Question 12

What is portal hypertension?

Answer 12

An obs in the portal vein which leads to an increase in pressure which can lead to varicose and caput medusa.

Question 13

What is a portovacal shunt

Answer 13

A shunt added to decrease hypertension by diverting blood from the portal vein to IVC, new technique TIPS is more effective.