The liver and biliary apparatus: Basic structural anatomy and variations

Understanding the anatomy of the liver may be complicated by the lack of anatomic consistency in its description. Although external observation of the liver presents a clear depiction of lobar division, appreciation of its functional anatomy is often made difficult by its complex intrahepatic architecture. In this chapter, the liver is approached through a clear delineation of the core features central to the clinical translation of its anatomy. The liver is described in terms of its location and surface anatomy, peritoneal relationships, surfaces and lobes, segmental anatomy, blood supply, and venous and lymphatic drainage. Descriptions combine gross anatomic features and histology with a commentary on the development and variations of the liver.