The Liver (hardly knew her!) Flashcards
What is the average liver size?
13-16cm length wise
In the liver, which vessel does the right branch bifurcate into an anterior and posterior branch?
Right portal vein
In the liver, if a malignant neoplasm appears as an anechoic mass, what is a likely explanation for this echo characteristic?
The central liquefaction of necrosis
What are the two capsule layers?
The visceral peritoneum and the Glisson capsule (highly echogenic, encases hepatic artery/portal vein/bile ducts within the liver)
Where is Morrison’s Pouch?
It is a potential space between the liver and right kidney
Describe the main lobar fissure (MLF) of the liver.
Separates left and right lobes, contains main hepatic vein, gallbladder, and IVC fossa. Seen between GB neck and RPV.
Describe the right intersegmental fissure (liver).
Divides right lobe into anterior and posterior segments. Landmark: Right hepatic vein
Describe left intersegmental fissure (liver).
Divides left lobe into medial and lateral segments.
Landmarks: Left hepatic vein, ascending branch of LPV, ligamentum teres (inferior)
The hepatic veins run between segments (________) and lobes (_______).
Intersegmental
Interlobar
The portal vein runs within segments (__________).
Intrasegmental
What is a Riedel’s lobe?
Downward projection of the anterior edge of RLL to the right of the gallbladder.
Can be mistaken for hepatomegaly.
What vessels does the liver get its blood supply from?
Hepatic arteries & portal veins.
What do the portal veins do?
Drain blood from GIT, spleen, pancreas, and GB.
RPV divides into the anterior and posterior segmental branches.
LPV divides into the medial and lateral segmental branches.
Where do the hepatic veins drain into?
The IVC
What is the porta hepatis?
Fissure where portal vein and hepatic artery enter the liver and bile duct exists the liver.
Bile duct is ventral and lateral, hepatic artery is ventral and medial, portal vein is dorsal.
How large must the intrahepatic ducts be to be considered dilated?
Greater than 2mm.
What are some of the hepatic functions?
Bile formation and secretion, carbohydrate metabolism, fat metabolism, protein metabolism, reticuloendothelial tissue activity, storage depot, blood reservoir, heat production, detoxification, lymph formation
How is bilirubin created?
Formed from destroyed RBC’s
Describe conjugated (direct) bilirubin.
Conjugated by liver enzymes, becomes water soluble, pooped and peed out
Describe unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin.
Remains in the blood.
Describe indirect bilirubin increase.
Caused by increased RBC breakdown or diseases that affect liver’s ability to conjugate
Describe direct bilirubin increase.
Hepatitis, cirrhosis, obstructive liver disease; directly affects the liver
What is Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)?
Responsible for majority of tissue energy production; levels elevate when liver cell damage occurs
What is Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)?
Found in all tissues that use energy but large amount in liver
What is Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)?
Found in many tissues and is normally excreted in bile; INCREASED when biliary obstruction occurs
What is lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)?
Found in all tissues, not typically used for liver evaluation
What is y-Glutamyl Transpeptidase (GGT)?
Transport of amino acids and peptide across cell membranes; most sensitive indicator of alcoholism; INCREASED in liver disease and posthepatic obstruction
What is Prothrombin Time (PT)?
Pathological deficiency of clotting factors due to liver dysfunction or absence of Vitamin K
What is Albumin? What organ synthesizes it?
Role in total water distrubtion/osmotic pressure - mostly synthesized by the liver.
What does increased Albumin indicate?
Dehydration
What does decreased albumin indicate?
Chronic liver disease, ascites, right sided heart failure, cancer, peritonitis
How large does the liver have to be for hepatomegaly?
Larger than 16cm
What causes hepatomegaly?
Infection, hepatic tumour
What is Steatosis?
Fatty infiltration; fat accumulation in the hepatocytes
What is more common in Steatosis, focal or diffuse?
Diffuse, affects whole organ
What is the main cause of Steatosis?
Alcohol abuse and obesity
What is NAFL or NASH?
Non alcoholic fatty liver.
What is cirrhosis?
Diffuse destruction of the normal architecture of the liver lobules