Surgical Anatomy of the Liver and Biliary Tree

The liver is the largest organ in the human body, weighing approximately 1200–1800 g and accounts for approximately 3% of adult total body weight. The major anatomical points that determine the topographic anatomy of the liver are falciform ligaments, umbilical fissures, gallbladder fossa, and transverse hilar fissures. These anatomical points divide the liver into four different lobe areas: left, right, quadrate, and caudate. The liver is connected to the duodenum, stomach, diaphragm, and anterior abdominal wall by peritoneal folds that also form the Glisson’s capsule on the liver. The liver consists of two lobes which are generally described in two ways, by morphological anatomy and by functional anatomy. It is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, beneath the diaphragm, and is encased by the ribs. The liver maintains its position in the abdomen by attaching to the surrounding tissues with ligamentous attachments consisting of avascular peritoneal folds. These ligaments are in continuity with the Glisson’s capsule of the liver.