ABSTRACT
The visceral surface (Fig 7.3) is set obliquely, facing downwards, backwards and to the left. It is divided into a right and a smaller left lobe by the interlobar fissure, the ligamentum venosum superiorly and the ligamentum teres below. The ligamentum venosum is a remnant of the ductus venosus which, in the fetus, connects the umbilical vein and inferior vena cava, and allows blood to bypass the liver. The ligamentum teres is the obliterated left umbilical vein. The right lobe contains the small quadrate lobe anteriorly between the interlobar fissure and the gallbladder, and the caudate lobe behind between the interlobar fissure and the inferior vena cava, separated by the porta hepatis, a transverse sulcus through which pass the portal vein, hepatic artery, common hepatic duct and lymph vessels (Figs 7.3 and 7.4).
