Sectional anatomy of the caudate lobe of liver: based on coronal and sagittal sections

ObjectiveTo provide practical and surgical anatomy for the imaging diagnosis and surgical treatment of the disease of the caudate lobe of the liver.MethodsBased on Chinese Visible Human 1-5 data sets and assisted by 3D visualization and reconstruction, the 3D models of the upper abdomen or the liver were reconstructed and the cross-sectional images were converted to the coronal and sagittal images. The anatomy of the caudate lobe of the liver on the coronal and sagittal planes was investigated on serial planes of the upper abdomen.ResultsThe caudate lobe was bordered on the left by the fissura ligamenti venosi, posteriorly by the IVC, superiorly by the hepatic veins and inferiorly by the hepatic hilum. Its right and ventral borders might be obscure, with only relative borders existent. The right wall of the IVC was a good landmark to judge the relative realm of paracaval portion, and the relative ventral plane might exist between the hepatic hilum and entrance of hepatic veins. The caudate lobe could be divided into two principal regions: the left Spiegel lobe and the right paracaval portion. The caudate process, and the right rear process occurring in some individuals belonged to the right paracaval portion. The caudate lobe was blood supplied by the portal vein, which directly drained into the IVC.ConclusionThere are not definite borders for the right part of the caudate lobe, and most of the knowledge on it is based on the cast study, which may not suit for the clinical diagnosis and practice. The coronal and sagittal sections can better show the anatomic relationships between the caudate lobe, the other parts of the liver and the adjacent structures. The 3D digital visualization is an accurate and convenient study method for clinical anatomy.