Liver

• The liver lies on the right side of the abdominal cavity beneath the diaphragm.
• It is divided into four lobes of unequal size and shape.
  • Right lobe
    • Occupies the right upper quadrant
    • Right hepatic vein divides right lobe into anterior and posterior segments
  • Left lobe
    • Much smaller and has a different blood supply and portal drainage from the right lobe
    • Left hepatic vein divides left lobe into medial and lateral segments
  • Caudate lobe
    • Functionally part of both right and left lobes because it receives its blood supply from both right and left hepatic arteries
  • Quadrate
    • Receives its blood supply form the left hepatic artery and is therefore functionally part of the left lobe
• Middle hepatic vein divides right from left lobe of liver
• It is important to understand the complex blood flow through the liver. 

Applied Anatomy