Clinico-anatomical aspects of accessory fissures obscuring the normal hepatic morphology

Interesting observations were discovered in a liver specimen during routine educational dissection class. Accessory fissures were observed on the visceral surface of the liver. One fissure was observed to delineate an accessory lobe from the quadrate lobe distorting the configuration of the quadrate lobe. The other fissure was seen demarcating the caudate lobe from its process. These fissural variations are detectable by ultrasonography and adequate knowledge of the normal morphology of the liver may prevent erroneous diagnosis of a focal intrahepatic lesion. We undertook the task of reporting this rare anomaly of this vital organ so that the operating surgeons and radiologists are cautioned adequately before striving to approach the liver.