The Human Liver

Liver

The liver is the largest gland of the body. It normally weighs about 1.5kg. The sharp inferior border of the liver does not normally extend below the right costal margin. If it does, it is enlarged. In order to free the liver for study, you must cut the falciform ligament, superior and inferior parts of the coronary ligament, the right and left triangular ligaments, the lesser omentum and the structures in its free margin (common bile duct, proper hepatic artery and portal vein) and the hepatic veins at the point where they empty into the inferior vena cava.

This is an anterior view of the liver. You should identify the: right lobe cut edge of thefalciform ligament left lobe diverging cut edges of the superior part of the coronary ligament fundus of the gall bladder
This an image of the visceral surface of the liver. Make sure you can orient yourself properly. Check out to see where the fundus of the gall bladder is located. Identify the following structures: right lobe fundus of the gall bladder cystic duct portal vein hepatic arteries common bile duct quadrate lobe ligamentum teres left lobe ligamentum venosum and its groove caudate lobe groove for theinferior vena cava and the cut hepatic veins within it porta hepatis outline in yellow. The area where the arteries, ducts and portal vein enter and leave the liver.
Finally we take a look at the superior aspect of the liver. This part of the liver is separated from the heart by the domes of the diaphragm. In this image, the anterior (diaphragmatic) surface of the liver is upward and the visceral surface is downward on the page. This aspect allows you to identify the: right lobe cut edge of thefalciform ligament the cut edges of the superior and inferior parts of the coronary ligament the left triangular ligament the right triangular ligament bare area of the liver (where there is no peritoneum covering the liver groove for theinferior vena cavaand the hepatic veins caudate lobe of the liver more or less wrapping around the groove of the inferior vena cava
Separation of the four lobes of the liver: right sagittal fossa - groove for inferior vena cava and gall bladder left sagittal fissure - contains the ligamentum venosum and round ligament of liver transverse fissure (also porta hepatis) - bile ducts, portal vein, hepatic arteries
Relationship of the visceral aspect of the liver to other abdominal viscera.

Biliary System

The biliary system is made up of the ducts arising in the liver, the gall bladder and its duct and the common bile duct. Starting in the liver, the small biliary ducts converge to form the larger right and left hepatic ducts. These, in turn, join to form the common hepatic duct which joins with the cystic ductto form the common bile duct. Remember, when we studied the duodenum, that the common bile duct joins the major pancreatic duct to empty into the ampulla which then empties into the second part (descending part) of the duodenum. The gall bladder receives bile from the liver by way of the common hepatic duct into the cystic duct. The gall bladder stores and concentrates its contents and also excretes its bile back through the cystic duct to join the common hepatic duct to become the common bile duct which then carries the bile into the duodenum. The location of the tip of the fundus can be approximated on the surface of the abdomen at the point where the lateral edge of the rectus abdominis crosses the cartilage of the 9th rib. What is its major function? The liver has many functions. Some of the functions are: to produce substances that break down fats, convert glucose to glycogen, produce urea (the main substance of urine), make certain amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), filter harmful substances from the blood (such as alcohol), storage of vitamins and minerals(vitamins A, D, K and B12) and maintain a proper level or glucose in the blood. The liver is also responsible for producing cholesterol. It produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body. Diseases of the Liver Several diseases states can affect the liver. Some of the diseases are Wilson's Disease, hepatitis (an inflammation of the liver), liver cancer, andcirrhosis (a chronic inflammation that progresses ultimately to organ failure). Alcohol alters the metabolism of the liver, which can have overall detrimental effects if alcohol is taken over long periods of time. Hemochromatosis can cause liver problems. Medications that negatively effect the liver Medications have side effects that may harm your liver. Some of the medications that can damage your liver are: serzone, anti-cancer drugs (tagfur, MTX, and cytoxan), and medications used to treatdiabetes. Serzone is a prescription drug manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb for the treatment of depression. The possible side effects of Serzone® are: agitation, dizziness, clumsiness or unsteadiness, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, confusion, severe nausea, gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, unusually dark urine, difficult or frequent urination, fainting, skin rash or hives yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes(jaundice) or a prolonged loss of weight or loss of appetite. If you or a family member have suffered serious side effects or a fatal injury after taking Serzone®, you or the family member may be eligible to file a claim against the manufacturer. You should contact an attorney that specializes in class action lawsuits immediately. To help prevent liver damage, let your doctor know about your liver condition when being treated for other conditions. Medications come in many forms and it is best to find out what is in them and what it can do to your liver.