Morphological Study of Variations of the Human Cadaveric Liver and Its Clinical Implications

Introduction With increasing dependence on laparoscopic procedures, precise knowledge of external variations of the liver is essential for good surgical and interventional outcomes, preventing imaging misdiagnosis, and curtailing complications. The present study aims to evaluate the gross anatomical variations of the liver. Materials and Methods The 40 adult cadaveric livers of age 60-80 years were removed during the routine dissection for undergraduate medical students and examined for morphological variations in the form of size, shape, and fissures. Results Accessory fissures were observed on the caudate lobe (CL) in 23 (57.5%), on the quadrate lobe (QL) in seven (17.5%), on the right lobe (RL) in 29 (72.5%), and on the left lobe (LL) in 12 (30%) specimens. Netter's Type 2, Type 4, Type 5, Type 6, and Type 7 liver were observed in four (10%), seven (17.5%), one (2.5%), three (7.5%), and three (7.5%) specimens respectively. The most common shapes of the CL and QL were rectangular in 16 (40%) and quadrangular in 10 (25%) specimens respectively. Pons hepatis were seen in three (7.5%) specimens. The mean length (cm) of RL and LL were 17.75 ±3.09 and 16.9±3.69 respectively, whereas the mean transverse diameter (TD) (cm) of RL and LL were 7.98±1.20 and 7.85±1.58 respectively. The mean length and TD (cm) of CL were 5.62±1.67 and 2.48±1.00 respectively. The mean length and TD (cm) of the QL were 6.00±1.51 and 2.81±0.83 respectively. Conclusion Precise knowledge of these variations would be helpful for surgeons in planning and performing surgical procedures and for anatomists.