Liver Flashcards
Dimensions and weight AP Transverse Vertical Weight
AP- 15cm
Transverse- 17cm
Vertical- 16-17cm
Weight- About 1.5kg
Lobes of liver
Left, right, quadrate (inferior) and caudate (superior)
Reidels lobe
Normal varient
Downwards extension of right lobe
More common in females
Falciform ligament
Connects liver to diaphragm anteriorly
Coronary ligament
Extends from the superior posterior surface of the right lobe to the diaphragm
Triangular ligaments
Right and left and connect to diaphragm
Ligament teres
Found in the base of the falciform ligament
Portal fissure:
Name the vessels
Portal vein Hepatic artery Hepatic veins (big one) Hepatic bile duct Lymph vessels
Venous drainage
3 or more hepatic veins take venous blood from the liver to the IVC
Anatomical relations: Anterior Posterior Superior Inferior Lateral
Anterior- diaphragm Posterior- gall bladder, œsophagus Superior- diaphragm Inferior- bile ducts Laterally- 7th-11th ribs and diaphragm
Structure of liver
Spongy consistency
Made up of tiny lobules which are hexagonal
Lobules are connected to each other by connective tissue
Liver cells are arranged in radiating rows around central veins called liver cords
What are the functions of the liver
Secretory, storage and metabolic
Outline secretory functions of the liver
- production of bile. Including bile salts and pigments, formed in the liver and stored in the gall bladder
- productions of heparin. Internal secretion of the liver. Anticoagulant. Also produced in connective tissues and lungs
Outline the storage functions of the liver
- storage of vitamins A, B, D, E & K
- storage of iron from haemolysis, used in erythropoesis
- storage of glycogen. Liver converts glucose to glycogen depending upon blood sugar levels
Outline he metabolic functions of the liver
- modification of drugs. Destroyed or neutralised by the liver
- heat production. Due to its metabolic rate, the liver is the largest heat producing organ of the body
- formation of fat. Excess carbohydrates are stored as glycogen
