FISSURES OF THE LIVER. 51 7 



which divide its surface into five compartments or lobes, two principal and 

 mree minor lobes ; they are the 



Fissures. Lobes. 



Longitudinal fissure, Right lobe, 



Fissure of the ductus venosus, Left lobe, 



Transverse fissure, Lobus quadratus, 



Fissure for the gall-bladder, Lobus Spigelii, 



Fissure for the vena cava. Lobus caudatus. 



The Longitudinal fissure is a deep groove running from the notch upon 

 he anterior margin of the liver, to the posterior border of the organ. At 

 about one-third from its posterior extremity it is joined by a short but deep 

 fissure, the transverse, which meets it transversely from the under part of 

 the right lobe. 



The longitudinal fissure in front of this junction lodges the fibrous cord 

 of the umbilical vein, and is generally crossed by a band of hepatic sub- 

 stance called the pons hepatis. 



The Fissure for the ductus venosus is the shorter portion of the longitu- 

 dinal fissure, extending from the junctional termination of the transverse 

 fissure to the posterior border of the liver, and containing a small fibrous 

 cord, the remains of the ductus venosus. This fissure is therefore but a 

 part of the longitudinal fissure. 



Fig. 227 * 



The Transverse fissure is the short and deep fissure, about two inches 

 in length, through which the hepatic ducts, hepatic artery, and portal vein 

 enter the liver. Hence this fissure was considered by the older anatomists 

 as the gate (porta) of the liver ; and the large vein entering the organ at 



* The under surface of the liver. 1. The right lobe. 2. The left lobe. 3. The lobus 

 quadratus. 4. The lobus Spigelii. 5. The lobus caudatus. 6. The longitudinal fissure; 

 the numeral is placed on the rounded cord, the remains of the umbilical vein. 7. The 

 pons hepatis. 8. The fissure for the ductus venosus; the obliterated cord of the ductus 

 is seen passing backwards to be attached to the coats of the inferior vena cava (9). 

 10. The gall-bladder lodged in its fossa. 11. The transverse fissure, containing, from 

 before backwards, the hepatic duct, hepatic artery, and portal vein. 12. The vena 

 cava. 13. A depression corresponding with the curve of the colon. 14. A double de- 

 pression produced by the right kidney and its supra-renal capsule. 15. The rough sur 

 face on the posterior border of the liver left uncovered by peritoneum ; the cut edge o r 

 peritoneum surrounding this surface forms part of the coronary ligament. lc. Tho 

 notch on the anterior border, separating the two lobes. 17. The notch on the posterior 

 border, corresponding with the vertebral column. 



44 



