ABSTRACT
The liver is a large organ located in the upper abdomen and in humans is separated into two major and two minor lobes (Figure 11.1). Blood enters the liver via two sources: the hepatic artery, which brings blood from the systemic circulation, and the portal vein, which brings blood directly from the gastrointestinal tract. Blood exits the liver via the hepatic vein, and a manufactured substance called bile passes out through the hepatic duct and then either through the common bile duct to the small intestine or through the cystic duct to the gall bladder for storage.
