LIVER

LIVER

1. Location The liver is located in the upper right region of the abdominal cavity. It is situated below the diaphragm and above the stomach, small intestine, and right kidney.

2. Shape and Size The liver is a large, lobed organ, roughly triangular in shape, and weighs approximately 1.5 kg. It is divided into four lobes: right lobe, left lobe, caudate lobe, and quadrate lobe.

3. Blood Supply The liver receives blood supply from two main sources:

   • Hepatic artery: carries oxygenated blood from the aorta.
   • Hepatic portal vein: carries deoxygenated blood from the digestive organs.

4. Lymph Drainage The liver drains lymph into the thoracic duct and the right lymphatic duct.

5. Nerve Supply The liver is innervated by the phrenic nerves, the vagus nerves, and the sympathetic nerves.

6. Functions The liver performs several vital functions:

   • Detoxification: removes toxins and waste products from the blood.
   • Metabolism: converts nutrients into energy and stores them for later use.
   • Production of bile: helps in digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
   • Storage of glycogen: serves as a source of energy for the body.

7. Development The liver develops from the endodermal layer of the embryonic gut. The liver bud forms and grows, eventually connecting to the hepatic portal vein.

8. Muscle Action Sequence The liver is a passive organ and does not have any voluntary muscle action. However, the diaphragm and abdominal muscles help in the movement of the liver during breathing and abdominal movements.

9. Stepwise Anatomical Mechanism The liver receives oxygenated blood from the hepatic artery and deoxygenated blood from the hepatic portal vein. The liver filters the blood, removing toxins and waste products, and stores nutrients and glycogen. The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to aid in digestion.

10. Clinical Significance The liver is a vital organ, and its dysfunction can lead to various diseases, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and liver cancer. Liver transplantation is a treatment option for patients with end-stage liver disease.

11. Describe the morphology of liver

• The liver is a vital organ located in the upper right region of the abdominal cavity.
• It is a cone-shaped organ with a broad base and a narrow apex.
• The liver is divided into four main lobes: right lobe, left lobe, caudate lobe, and quadrate lobe.
• The liver is also divided into lobules which are the functional units of the liver.

12. Describe the ligaments of liver

• The liver is attached to the diaphragm by the falciform ligament.
• The coronary ligament is the part of the falciform ligament that attaches the liver to the diaphragm.
• The liver is also attached to the gallbladder by the cystic duct and the gallbladder ligament.
• The hepatoduodenal ligament is a fold of peritoneum that attaches the liver to the duodenum.

13. Describe the structures that pass through porta hepatis

• The porta hepatis is the part of the liver that contains the following structures:
  • Hepatic artery proper
  • Hepatic portal vein
  • Common bile duct
  • Hepatic ducts
  • Nerve fibers

14. Describe the blood and nerve supply of liver

• Blood Supply:
  • The liver receives oxygenated blood from the hepatic artery proper.
  • The liver receives deoxygenated blood from the hepatic portal vein.
  • The hepatic portal vein carries blood rich in nutrients from the digestive tract to the liver.
• Nerve Supply:
  • The liver is innervated by the vagus nerve and the sympathetic nerves.
  • The vagus nerve carries parasympathetic fibers that stimulate digestion.
  • The sympathetic nerves carry sympathetic fibers that stimulate the release of bile.

15. Explain the applied anatomy of liver

• The liver plays a crucial role in metabolism, detoxification, and digestion.
• The liver produces bile that is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to aid in fat digestion.
• The liver also produces proteins such as albumin and clotting factors that are essential for blood coagulation.
• The liver is a common site for metastasis of cancer from other parts of the body.
• The liver is also a site for transplantation in cases of liver failure.