Anatomy of the liver

The liver is the largest organ in the body. Its gross anatomical divisions comprise the right, left, caudate and quadrate lobes, which do not correspond with its functional division into eight hepatic segments, each with their own blood supply and biliary drainage. The porta hepatis transmits the hepatic artery, portal vein and right and left hepatic ducts (the portal triad), together with lymphatic and autonomic nerves. The venous drainage of the liver, directly into the inferior vena cava, comprises the right, left and middle hepatic veins, together with the small accessory hepatic veins.