The liver consists of 2 main lobes. Both are made up of 8 segments that consist of
1,000 lobules
(small lobes). These lobules are connected to small ducts (tubes) that connect with larger ducts to form the common hepatic duct.
What are liver lobules?
The lobules of liver, or hepatic lobules, are
small divisions of the liver defined at the microscopic (histological) scale
. The hepatic lobule is a building block of the liver tissue, consisting of a portal triad, hepatocytes arranged in linear cords between a capillary network, and a central vein.
What are the 4 lobes of the liver?
Anatomically the liver has four lobes:
right, left, caudate, and quadrate
. The quadrate lobe is located on the inferior surface of the right lobe. The caudate lobe is located between the left and right lobes in an anterior and superior location.
Does the liver have 5 lobes?
Anatomical terminology
The human liver is divided grossly into
four
parts or lobes. The four lobes are the right lobe, the left lobe, the caudate lobe, and the quadrate lobe.
What are the boundaries of the liver?
It
lies under the diaphragm in the right upper abdomen and midabdomen and extends to the left upper abdomen
. The liver has the general shape of a prism or wedge, with its base to the right and its apex to the left (see the image below).
Which lobe of liver is bigger?
The
left and right lobes
are the largest lobes and are separated by the falciform ligament. The right lobe is about 5 to 6 times larger than the tapered left lobe. The small caudate lobe extends from the posterior side of the right lobe and wraps around the inferior vena cava.
What cell types are found in the liver lobules?
In this case, each lobule consists of plates of
hepatic parenchymal cells
that radiate out from the central vein. Separating the radial plates of the cells are the hepatic sinusoids, which are lined by endothelial cells. Kupffer cells (macrophages), span the sinusoid and attach themselves to the endothelial lining.
How can I make my liver healthy?
- Maintain a healthy weight. …
- Eat a balanced diet. …
- Exercise regularly. …
- Avoid toxins. …
- Use alcohol responsibly. …
- Avoid the use of illicit drugs. …
- Avoid contaminated needles. …
- Get medical care if you’re exposed to blood.
Can you live without a liver?
The liver performs essential, life-sustaining functions. While
you can’t live without a liver completely
, you can live with only part of one. Many people can function well with just under half of their liver. Your liver can also grow back to full size within a matter of months.
Which is the main support of liver?
Coronary ligament
(anterior and posterior folds) – attaches the superior surface of the liver to the inferior surface of the diaphragm and demarcates the bare area of the liver The anterior and posterior folds unite to form the triangular ligaments on the right and left lobes of the liver.
How do you know if your liver is struggling?
- Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
- Abdominal pain and swelling.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles.
- Itchy skin.
- Dark urine color.
- Pale stool color.
- Chronic fatigue.
- Nausea or vomiting.
Where do you feel liver pain?
Most people feel it as a dull, throbbing sensation in
the upper right abdomen
. Liver pain can also feel like a stabbing sensation that takes your breath away. Sometimes this pain is accompanied by swelling, and occasionally people feel radiating liver pain in their back or in their right shoulder blade.
What should I eat if my liver is swollen?
- fruits and vegetables.
- high-fiber plants like legumes and whole grains.
- significantly reducing intake of certain foods and beverages including those high in added sugar, salt, refined carbohydrates, and saturated fat.
- no alcohol.
Why is drinking alcohol so bad for your liver?
Alcohol
changes the chemicals that break down and remove scar tissue
. This means that scar tissue builds up in the liver. Scar tissue replaces normal healthy cells. This means that the liver can’t work properly and can fail, leading to death.
Where is the liver anatomically located?
Anatomy of the liver
The liver is located in
the upper right-hand portion of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm
, and on top of the stomach, right kidney, and intestines. Shaped like a cone, the liver is a dark reddish-brown organ that weighs about 3 pounds.
What organ is near the liver?
The gallbladder
sits under the liver, along with parts of the pancreas and intestines. The liver and these organs work together to digest, absorb, and process food. The liver’s main job is to filter the blood coming from the digestive tract, before passing it to the rest of the body.
