Variations in the Morphology of the Human Liver: A Cadaveric Study
Dr. Sharadkumar Pralhad Sawant* and Dr. Shaheen Rizvi
Department of Anatomy, K. J. Somaiya Medical College, Somaiya Ayurvihar, Eastern Express Highway, Sion, Mumbai-400 022 India.
Affiliated University: Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik, Maharashtra, India
Article history:
Received: 26 March, 2021
Accepted: 19 April, 2021
Available Online: 08 March, 2022
Corresponding author: Dr. Sharadkumar Pralhad Sawant* is Professor and Head
Dr. Shaheen Rizvi is Assistant Lecturer
Dr. Sharadkumar Pralhad Sawant and Dr. Shaheen Rizvi are Winner of Alexander Fleming Award 2022 in Anatomy
Abstract
The complexity of liver function and its importance to life has encouraged many anatomists to study the morphological features of the liver in great detail. Despite recent technological advances like CT, MRI and USG, detailed study of the cadaveric liver can still contribute to identification of important anatomical variations.
Aim: To study the morphological features of human liver specimens by macroscopic examination and morphometric analysis in order to evaluate the type and frequency of anatomical variations.
Materials and Methods: 100 adult human livers were obtained from donated embalmed cadavers (84 male & 16 female) in the Department of Anatomy at K. J. Somaiya Medical College, Sion, Mumbai, all ranging between age groups of 65 to 75 years. The studies were carried out in the period from April 2017 to December 2020. Only cadavers, whose clinical history excluded liver diseases, were used for the study.
Results: The livers are classified into nine morphological types, of which Types 1-7 have been classified earlier by Netter (2000) and the remaining two, Type 8 and Type 9 by Nagato
et al. The liver specimens presenting distinct anatomical variation could be easily classified between Type 1-9.
Clinical Significance: Knowledge of anatomical and morphological variations of liver is important for both anatomists as well as for radiologists and surgeons. Defective development of left lobe of liver can lead to gastric volvulus, whereas defective development of right lobe may progress to portal hypertension.
Conclusions: It is noted that although anatomical variations in the shape of the liver are frequently encountered, few systematic analyses have been reported in the literature. However, detailed descriptions of normal and variant liver morphologies can make a significant contribution and is a prerequisite for the favourable outcome of a surgical procedure.
Keywords:
Liver, Morphological Types, Donated Embalmed Cadavers, CT, MRI, USG, Congenital Anomalies, Asymptomatic, Anatomists, Surgeons and Radiologists.
Citation:
Dr. Sharadkumar Pralhad Sawant and Dr. Shaheen Rizvi, 2022. Variations in the Morphology of the Human Liver: A Cadaveric Study. The Journal of Anatomy. Photon 120, 228-242
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