Surgical Anatomy of the liver

The liver is the second largest human organ and has got a complex internal vascular and ductal anatomy. It is subdivided into lobes, sections and segments and receives dual blood supply from the hepatic artery and portal vein. The hepatic veins drain the liver directly into the inferior vena to which the liver is intimately related. Anatomical variations are common. A thorough knowledge of the liver anatomy and its variations is of critical importance for safe and successful procedures and surgeries involving the liver.