CH 23 Anatomy of the Liver James F. Thompson, Ph.D.

Liver heaviest body organ at ~3 lbs second largest organ of the body general features heaviest body organ at ~3 lbs second largest organ of the body diverse functions

Liver anatomy covered in peritoneum right lobe is larger than the left lobe smallest caudate lobe tucked under the other two right and left lobes are separated by the falciform ligament attached superiorly to the diaphragm

Liver Histology Each lobe is divided into lobules Functional unit of the liver is the lobule Lobule - hepatic cells (hepatocytes) in irregular branching plates around central vein complex blood flow around the cords of hepatocytes branches of the hepatic artery, hepatic portal vein and lymph vessels are found at the edge of each lobule

Central Vein In Hepatic Lobule Hepatic cords separated by capillary sinusoids Bile canaliculi within the hepatic cords

Portal Triad

Liver Cirrhosis and Jaundice

Liver Biliary Tree Hepatic ducts join the cystic duct from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct Gallbladder stores bile Common bile duct meets pancreatic duct at the hepatopancreatic ampulla (of Vater) Bile empties into the duodenum to emulsify fats for more efficient digestion

Biliary Tree and Gall Stones

End CH 23 Anatomy of the Liver