Surgical Anatomy of the Liver

Abstract

The first description of the anatomy of the liver is what we can term the morphological anatomy, based on the surface features of the organ (Fig.1). On the anterior surface, the round ligament and the falciform ligament divide the liver into two lobes: the left and right lobes. On the inferior surface, the umbilical fissure, the gallbladder bed, and the hilus limit the quadrate lobe. Behind the hilus is the spigelian lobe. In total, there are two main lobes and two accessory lobes corresponding to the true definition of a lobe: “part of the parenchyma limited by fissures or grooves” (Stedman’s Medical Dictionary). However, this morphological description of the liver is inadequate to guide the surgeon in performing anatomical surgery.