Normal Liver

Question 1

How much does the adult liver weigh?

Answer 1

1,500 grams

Question 2

where is the liver located?

Answer 2

the liver is an intraperitoneal structure that occupies the right upper quadrant, right hypochondrium, epigastric region, and left hypochondrium of the abdomen.

Question 3

what are the three places on the diaphragm that the liver touches?

Answer 3

The liver touches the diaphragm on the anterior, posterior, and superior surface.

Question 4

what is the thin covering of the liver called?

Answer 4

Glisson’s capsule

Question 5

is the liver intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal?

Answer 5

intraperitoneal

Question 6

what is the bare area?

Answer 6

the bare area is everywhere the liver touches the diaphragm which is not covered by peritoneum

Question 7

what three structures flow together throughout the liver?

Answer 7

the arterioles, venules, and bile ducts all flow together

Question 8

what is the area where the arterioles, venules, and bile ducts all flow together called?

Answer 8

the portal triad, porta hepatis, or “Mickey Mouse” sign

Question 9

which structures are hepatopetal?

Answer 9

hepatic artery and portal vein are hepatopetal

Question 10

which structures are hepatofugal?

Answer 10

the hepatic veins have hepatofugal flow

Question 11

what does “hepatopetal” mean?

Answer 11

blood is flowing TOWARDS the liver

Question 12

what does “hepatofugal” mean?

Answer 12

blood is flowing AWAY from the liver

Question 13

toward the IVC, which is larger, the portal veins or hepatic veins and why?

Answer 13

the hepatic veins are larger than the portal veins because the hepatic veins drain deoxygenated blood from the liver and carry it back to the heart through the IVC.

Question 14

what is a lobule made of?

Answer 14

a lobule is made up of kupffer cells and hepatocytes

Question 15

what are the functions of kupffer cells?

Answer 15

kupffer cells are responsible for phagocytosis of bacteria and other foreign bodies

Question 16

list at least 10 functions of the liver

Answer 16

1) converts glucose to glycogen and stores it
2) stores iron and certain vitamins
3) secretes bile which aids in the digestion of fats
4) filters and detoxifies blood
5) produces a major amount of body heat
6) Manufatures clotting factors
7) regulates blood volume
8) disposes of old red blood cells and produces new ones
9) Makes antibodies to filter and destroy bacteria
10) Metabolizes proteins, fats, carbohydrates, amino acids, and vitamins

Question 17

list the main lab values that affect liver function

Answer 17

• AST (aspartate aminotransferase): an enzyme that is released into the bloodstream at abnormally high levels as a result of injury to the producing cells
• ALT (alanine aminotransferase): an enzyme used in the synthesis of amino acids

Question 18

what are the traditional names for the three lobes of the liver?

Answer 18

right, left, and caudate lobes

Question 19

traditionally, what divides the liver into left and right lobes?

Answer 19

the falciform ligament

Question 20

traditionally, what is the largest lobe of the liver?

Answer 20

the right lobe

Question 21

what is housed inside the falciform ligament?

Answer 21

the ligamentum teres

Question 22

is the falciform ligament visible on ultrasound?

Answer 22

no

Question 23

is the ligamentum teres visible on ultrasound?

Answer 23

yes

Question 24

what are the four main ligaments that support the liver?

Answer 24

the falciform ligament, the right and left triangular ligaments, and the coronary ligament

Question 25

in segmental anatomy, the liver is divided into how many lobes?

Answer 25

3 lobes: right, left, and caudate

Question 26

segmentally, what separates the right and left lobe of the liver?

Answer 26

the MLF

Question 27

what is the normal size of the liver?

Answer 27

between 7 and 10cm

Question 28

segmentally, what structures are used to further divide the left and right lobe of the liver?

Answer 28

the rt lobe is divided anterior and posterior by the rt hepatic veins. the lt lobe is divided into halves by the lt hepatic vein

Question 29

segmentally, the left lobe is divided into….

Answer 29

medial and lateral lobes

Question 30

segmentally, the rt lobe is divided into….

Answer 30

anterior and posterior lobes

Question 31

what are the boundaries for the caudate lobe?

Answer 31

the IVC and ligamentum venosum

Question 32

is the ligamentum venosum visible on ultrasound?

Answer 32

yes

Question 33

segmentally, what structures are intersegmental?

Answer 33

hepatic veins are used to separate the liver into segments, so they are intersegmental

Question 34

segmentally, what structures are intrasegmental?

Answer 34

portal veins course in between the lobes of the liver, so they are intrasegmental