LIVER

Anatomical Position

The liver is predominantly located in the right hypochondrium and epigastric areas, and extends into the left hypochondrium.

When discussing the anatomical position of the liver, it is useful to consider its external surfaces, associated ligaments, and the anatomical spaces (recesses) that surround it.

By TeachMeSeries Ltd (2023)

Fig 1 – The liver lies in the right hypochondrium of the abdomen, and is surrounded by numerous organs.

Liver Surfaces

The external surfaces of the liver are described by their location and adjacent structures. There are two liver surfaces – the diaphragmatic and visceral:

• Diaphragmatic surface – the anterosuperior surface of the liver.
  • It is smooth and convex, fitting snugly beneath the curvature of the diaphragm.
  • The posterior aspect of the diaphragmatic surface is not covered by visceral peritoneum, and is in direct contact with the diaphragm itself (known as the ‘bare area’ of the liver).
• Visceral surface – the posteroinferior surface of the liver.
  • With the exception of the fossa of the gallbladder and porta hepatis, it is covered with peritoneum.
  • It is moulded by the shape of the surrounding organs, making it irregular and flat.
  • It lies in contact with the right kidney, right adrenal gland, right colic flexure, transverse colon, first part of the duodenum, gallbladder, oesophagus and the stomach.