The four parts of the liver are the right lobe, left lobe, caudate lobe, and quadrate lobe.
These lobes are defined by their anatomical location and are crucial for understanding liver structure and function. While early anatomical descriptions focused solely on the left and right lobes, further research revealed the presence and significance of the caudate and quadrate lobes.
A Closer Look at the Liver Lobes:
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Right Lobe: This is the largest lobe of the liver.
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Left Lobe: Smaller than the right lobe, it extends to the left of the falciform ligament.
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Caudate Lobe: Located on the posterior (rear) surface of the liver, near the inferior vena cava.
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Quadrate Lobe: Situated on the inferior (lower) surface of the liver, between the gallbladder and the fissure for the round ligament (ligamentum teres).
While these lobes are anatomically distinct, it's important to note that the functional divisions of the liver, based on blood supply and biliary drainage, don't perfectly align with these external lobes. The functional divisions, defined by the distribution of the portal vein and hepatic artery branches, are often considered more clinically relevant for procedures like liver resections.
