Overview of the liver

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The liver is a large accessory organ of the gastrointestinal tract with metabolic, endocrine and exocrine functions. It is located mainly in the right hypochondrium and epigastrium, with a small portion extending into the left hypochondrium. The liver is divided into the right, left, quadrate and caudate lobes. It is covered in visceral peritoneum, except for the bare area, where it is in contact with the diaphragm; therefore has a diaphragmatic and a visceral surfaces. Its location means it has numerous relations to other organs and structures of the body:

• Superior: Diaphragm
• Anterior: Ribs (7-11th), anterior abdominal wall
• Posteroinferior: Esophagus, right kidney and adrenal gland, right colic flexure, lesser omentum, duodenum, gallbladder, stomach

The position of the liver is secured with the following ligaments: coronary, left and right triangular, falciform, round ligaments, ligamentum venosum and lesser omentum.

The following video will teach you some key facts about the anatomy of the liver, with special emphasis on its relations to the nearby structures.

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Summary