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    From Digestive System

    Cystic Duct
    Connects gallbladder to common bile duct.
    Jejunum
    Second portion of the small intestine.
    Ileum
    Final and longest portion of the small intestine.
    Nasopharynx
    Superior region of pharynx behind the nasal cavity.
    Cardia
    Upper opening of the stomach.
    Tongue
    Muscular organ aiding in taste, speech, and food manipulation.
    Duodenal Bulb
    Initial section of duodenum closest to the stomach.
    Cheeks
    Lateral walls of the oral cavity composed of muscle and fat.
    Vermiform Appendix
    Worm-like appendage of the cecum.
    Round Ligament of Liver
    Remnant of fetal umbilical vein.
    Greater Omentum
    Fatty fold of peritoneum covering intestines.
    Uvula
    Dangling soft tissue at the back of the soft palate.
    Upper Esophageal Sphincter
    Muscle ring that controls entry into the esophagus.
    Lips
    Fleshy borders of the mouth that aid in speech and food intake.
    Anal Canal
    Terminal part of the large intestine.
    Sublingual Glands
    Salivary glands beneath the tongue.
    Teeth
    Structures in the jaws for mechanical breakdown of food.
    Oral Cavity
    Entry point of the digestive system; includes teeth, tongue, and salivary openings.
    Peritoneum
    Serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity.
    Caudate Lobe
    Lobe of liver near inferior vena cava.
    Lingual Frenulum
    Fold of mucous membrane anchoring the tongue to the floor of the mouth.
    Liver
    Largest gland in the body with roles in metabolism and bile production.
    Common Hepatic Duct
    Carries bile from liver to bile duct.
    Pyloric Sphincter
    Regulates passage of chyme from stomach to duodenum.
    Pylorus
    Distal part of stomach leading to duodenum.

    Left Lobe

    Reviewed by our medical team

    Smaller lobe of the liver.

    Overview

    The left lobe of the liver is one of the two main anatomical lobes of the liver, situated to the left of the midline. Although smaller than the right lobe, it plays an essential role in hepatic functions including metabolism, detoxification, bile production, and nutrient processing. It contains portions of the hepatic vascular and biliary systems and is an important landmark in both anatomy and clinical hepatology.

    Location

    The left lobe is located in the left upper quadrant and extends toward the epigastric and left hypochondriac regions. It:

    • Lies to the left of the falciform ligament, which divides the liver anteriorly into right and left lobes

    • Overlies the stomach, esophagus, and anterior surface of the spleen

    • Forms part of the anterior surface and the superior diaphragmatic surface of the liver

    Its posterior extension includes the caudate lobe and part of the quadrate lobe, though functional liver anatomy considers these regions separately.

    Structure

    The left lobe of the liver is made up of:

    • Liver parenchyma: Composed of hepatocytes organized into hexagonal lobules, which are the functional units of the liver

    • Vascular supply: Receives oxygenated blood from the left branch of the hepatic artery and nutrient-rich blood from the left branch of the portal vein

    • Biliary drainage: Bile produced in the left lobe drains into the left hepatic duct, which joins the right duct to form the common hepatic duct

    • Lymphatic vessels and nerves: Drain toward celiac and phrenic lymph nodes; innervation is via autonomic fibers from the hepatic plexus

    On imaging or gross examination, the left lobe is smaller and thinner than the right lobe, tapering toward the left.

    Function

    The left lobe of the liver shares all the primary functions of hepatic tissue, including:

    • Metabolism: Processes carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids

    • Detoxification: Breaks down drugs, toxins, and metabolic waste

    • Bile production: Secretes bile to aid in fat digestion and waste elimination

    • Synthesis: Produces plasma proteins such as albumin and clotting factors

    • Storage: Stores glycogen, vitamins (A, D, B12), and minerals (iron, copper)

    Physiological Role(s)

    Though functionally similar to the right lobe, the left lobe has unique roles in:

    • Segmental surgery and transplantation: The left lobe is often used in living donor liver transplantation due to its manageable size and anatomical separation

    • Localized hepatic functions: In segmental liver function testing or pathology, the left lobe may be assessed independently

    • Functional segmentation: According to Couinaud's classification, the left lobe includes segments II and III, and often IV (quadrate lobe), allowing surgical resection without affecting the right lobe

    Clinical Significance

    The left lobe of the liver is relevant in several clinical contexts:

    • Liver tumors: Hepatocellular carcinoma, adenomas, or metastatic lesions may arise in the left lobe and be amenable to lobectomy or segmentectomy

    • Cirrhosis: Chronic liver disease often affects both lobes but may cause disproportionate atrophy or hypertrophy of the left lobe

    • Liver biopsy: The left lobe is often accessible via subxiphoid or laparoscopic approaches for biopsy

    • Living donor liver transplant (LDLT): The left lobe (especially in pediatric recipients) is commonly harvested due to its manageable volume and lower risk profile

    • Left lobe hypertrophy: May occur compensatorily after right lobe resection or due to congenital hypoplasia of the right lobe

    • Focal nodular hyperplasia and cysts: Often arise in the left lobe and may be incidental findings on ultrasound or CT scan

    Advanced imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound are routinely used to assess the left lobe’s anatomy and pathology. Liver function tests (LFTs) reflect global hepatic function but may correlate with regional imaging findings.

    Did you know? The small intestine is about 22 feet long and is essential for absorbing nutrients from food.