Key Terms

Question 1

Bare area

Answer 1

Area superior to the liver that is not covered by peritoneum so that IVC may enter the chest.

Question 2

Caudate lobe

Answer 2

Smallest lobe of the liver situated on the posterosuperior surface of the left lobe; the ligamentum venosum is the anterior border.

Question 3

Epigastrium

Answer 3

Area between the right and left hypochondrium.

Question 4

Falciform ligament

Answer 4

Extends from the umbilicus to the diaphragm in a Sagittal plane and contains the ligamentum teres.

Question 5

Left hypochondrium

Answer 5

Left upper quadrant of the abdomen that contains the left lobe of the liver, spleen, and stomach.

Question 6

Left lobe of the liver

Answer 6

Lies in the epigastrium and left hypochondrium.

Question 7

Left portal vein

Answer 7

Supplies the left lobe of the liver.

Question 8

Ligamentum teres

Answer 8

Appears as bright echogenic foci in transverse image; along with falciform ligament, it divides medial and lateral segments of left lobe of the liver.

Question 9

Ligamentum venosum

Answer 9

Separates left lobe from caudate lobe; shown as echogenic line on the transverse and sagittal images.

Question 10

Main lobar fissure

Answer 10

Boundary between the right and left lobes of the liver; seen as hyperechoic line on the sagittal image extending from the portal vein to the neck of the gallbladder.

Question 11

Main portal vein

Answer 11

Enters the liver at the porta hepatis.

Question 12

Right hypochondrium

Answer 12

Right upper quadrant of the abdomen that contains the liver and gallbladder.

Question 13

Right lobe of the liver

Answer 13

Largest lobe of the liver.

Question 14

Right portal vein

Answer 14

Supplies the right lobe of the liver; branches into anterior and posterior segments.

Question 15

Alkaline phosphate

Answer 15

Enzyme of the liver.

Question 16

ALT

Answer 16

Alanine aminotransferase- enzyme of the liver.

Question 17

AST

Answer 17

Aspartate aminotransferase- enzyme of the liver.

Question 18

Bilirubin

Answer 18

Yellow pigment in bike formed by the breakdown of red blood cells; excreted by liver and stored in the gallbladder.

Question 19

BUN

Answer 19

Blood urea nitrogen; laboratory measurement of the amount of nitrogenous waste and creatinine in the blood.

Question 20

Hepatocellular disease

Answer 20

Classification of liver disease where hepatocytes are the primary problem.

Question 21

Hepatocyte

Answer 21

Parenchymal liver cell that performs all functions ascribed to the liver.

Question 22

Liver function tests

Answer 22

Specific laboratory tests that look at liver function (aspartate or alanine aminotransferase, lactic acid dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphate, and bilirubin).

Question 23

Obstructive disease

Answer 23

Classification of liver disease where the main problem is blocked bile excretion within the liver or biliary system.

Question 24

Hyperglycemia

Answer 24

Uncontrolled increase in blood glucose levels.

Question 25

Hypoglycemia

Answer 25

Deficiency in blood glucose levels.

Question 26

Bull’s-eye (target) lesion

Answer 26

Hypoechoic mass with an echogenic central core (abscess, metastases).

Question 27

Collateral circulation

Answer 27

Develops when normal venous channels become obstructed.

Question 28

Diffuse hepatocellular disease

Answer 28

Affects hepatocytes and interferes with liver function.

Question 29

Extrahepatic

Answer 29

Outside the liver.

Question 30

Intrahepatic

Answer 30

Within the liver.

Question 31

Metastatic disease

Answer 31

Most common form of neoplasm of the liver; primary sites are colon, breast, and lung.

Question 32

Neoplasm

Answer 32

Any new growth (benign or malignant).

Question 33

Pyogenic abscess

Answer 33

Pus-forming collection of fluid.