THE LIVER 1191 



from the under surface by the line of reflection of the lower layer of the coronary 

 ligament. The central part of the posterior surface presents a deep concavity 

 which is moulded on the vertebral column and crura of the diaphragm. To the 

 right of this the inferior vena cava is lodged in its fossa between the uncovered 

 area and the caudate lobe. Close to the right of this fossa and immediately above 

 the renal impression is a small triangular depressed area, the suprarenal impression, 

 the greater part of which is devoid of peritoneum; it lodges the right suprarenal 

 gland. To the left of the inferior vena cava is the caudate lobe, which lies between 

 the fossa for the vena cava and the fossa for the ductus venosus. Its lower end 

 projects and forms part of the posterior boundary of the porta; on the right, it 

 is connected with the under surface of the right lobe of the liver by the caudate 

 process, and on the left it presents an elevation, the papillary process. Its posterior 

 surface rests upon the diaphragm, being separated from it merely by the upper 

 part of the omental bursa. To the left of the fossa for the ductus venosus is a 

 groove in which lies the antrum cardiacum of the esophagus. 



The anterior border (margo anterior) is thin and sharp, and marked opposite 

 the attachment of the falciform ligament by a deep notch, the umbilical notch, 

 and opposite the cartilage of the ninth rib by a second notch for the fundus of the 

 gall-bladder. In adult males this border generally corresponds with the lower 

 margin of the thorax in the right mammillary line; but in women and children it 

 usually projects below the ribs. 



The left extremity of the liver is thin and flattened from above downward. 



Fossae. The left sagittal fossa (fossa sagittalis sinistra; longitudinal fissure] 

 is a deep groove, which extends from the notch on the anterior margin of the liver 

 to the upper border of the posterior surface of the organ ; it separates the right and 

 left lobes. The porta joins it, at right angles, and divides it into two parts. The 

 anterior part, or fossa for the umbilical vein, lodges the umbilical vein in the fetus, 

 and its remains (the ligamentum teres) in the adult; it lies between the quadrate 

 lobe and the left lobe of the liver, and is often partially bridged over by a pro- 

 longation of the hepatic substance, the pons hepatis. The posterior part, or fossa 

 for the ductus venosus, lies between the left lobe and the caudate lobe; it lodges in 

 the fetus, the ductus venosus, and in the adult a slender fibrous cord, the ligamentum 

 venosum, the obliterated remains of that vessel. 



The porta or transverse fissure (porta hepatis} is a short but deep fissure, about 

 5 cm. long, extending transversely across the under surface of the left portion of the 

 right lobe, nearer its posterior surface than its anterior border. It joins nearly 

 at right angles with the left sagittal fossa, and separates the quadrate lobe in 

 front from the caudate lobe and process behind. It transmits the portal vein, 

 the hepatic artery and nerves, and the hepatic duct and lymphatics. The hepatic 

 duct lies in front and to the right, the hepatic artery to the left, and the portal 

 vein behind and between the duct and artery. 



The fossa for the gall-bladder (fossa vesicoe fellece) is a shallow, oblong fossa, 

 placed on the under surface of the right lobe, parallel with the left sagittal fossa. 

 It extends from the anterior free margin of the liver, which is notched by it, to the 

 right extremity of the porta. 



The fossa for the inferior vena cava (fossa vena* cavai) is a short deep depression, 

 occasionally a complete canal in consequence of the substance of the liver surround- 

 ing the vena cava. It extends obliquely upward on the posterior surface between 

 the caudate lobe and the bare area of the liver, and is separated from the porta 

 by the caudate process. On slitting open the inferior vena cava the orifices of 

 the hepatic veins will be seen opening into this vessel at its upper part, after 

 perforating the floor of this fossa. 



Lobes. The right lobe (lobus hepatis dexter) is much larger than the left; the 

 proportion between them being as six to one. It occupies the right hypo- 



