The Liver, Biliary System and Pancreas

Question 1

Why are the liver, gallbladder and spleen considered to be organs associated to the GI tract?

Answer 1

They all produce secretions which feed into the GI tract and help facilitate digestion of food

Question 2

Embryonically, where is the spleen developed from?

Answer 2

The dorsal meso-gastrum and hence is found in the foregut region

Question 3

Why is the liver considered an accessory digestive gland?

Answer 3

Due its ability to synthesise bile

Question 4

What two quadrants of the abdomen is the liver found in?

Answer 4

Predominantly RUQ, but also extends a little into LUQ

Question 5

Superiorly, the liver can extend up to which rib?

Answer 5

The 4th rib

Question 6

In terms of the nine abdominal regions, where can the liver be found?

Answer 6

Predominantly right hypochondrium and epigastric region. Also extends a little into left hypochondrium

Question 7

What separates the left and right lobes of the liver?

Answer 7

Falciform ligament

Question 8

What is the falciform ligament?

Answer 8

A ligament which separates the right and left lobes

Question 9

Why is the falciform ligament not considered a ligament in the classical sense?

Answer 9

It is more a double folded peritoneum

Question 10

Embryonically, where is the liver derived from?

Answer 10

The ventral meso-gastrum

Question 11

There are two sacs in the peritoneal cavity, what are they called?

Answer 11

Greater sac and lesser sac

Question 12

The liver has two main surfaces, what are they?

Answer 12

Diaphragmatic surface (associated with the diaphragm)
Visceral surface (associated with visceral organs)

Question 13

What is the hepato-renal recess also known as?

Answer 13

Pouch of Morrison

Question 14

Why is the pouch of Morrison particularly important?

Answer 14

It is the most deepest part of the abdominal peritoneal cavity when a patient is supine

Question 15

What is the function of the falciform ligament?

Answer 15

Attachment of the liver to the anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm

Question 16

The falciform ligament splits superiorly into..?

Answer 16

The coronary ligament

Question 17

Inferior to the falciform ligament is…?

Answer 17

Ligamentum teres

Question 18

Where does the fundus of the gallbladder lie?

Answer 18

At the tip of the 9th costal cartilage

Question 19

On which plane does the gallbladder lie?

Answer 19

Transpyloric plane

Question 20

What is the “bare area” of the liver?

Answer 20

A large triangular surface of the liver which has no peritoneal covering

Question 21

Which large vein can be seen embedded in the posterior aspect of the liver?

Answer 21

Inferior vena cava

Question 22

What are the names given to the three hepatic veins which drain into the inferior vena cava?

Answer 22

Right hepatic vein
Left hepatic vein
Middle hepatic vein

Question 23

The gallbladder can be divided into three main sections: What are they?

Answer 23

Neck
Body
Fundus

Question 24

The neck of the gallbladder drains into..?

Answer 24

The cystic duct

Question 25

The bile duct is formed from the joining of which ducts?

Answer 25

The cystic duct and hepatic duct

Question 26

Aside from the left and right lobes of the liver, what other lobes are there and what are their locations?

Answer 26

Quadrate lobe: Inferior / Anterior Caudrate lobe: Posterior / Superior

Question 27

What structure separates the caudate and quadrate lobe?

Answer 27

Porta hepatis (Hilum of the liver)

Question 28

What comprises the portal triad?

Answer 28

Hepatic portal vein Common bile duct Hepatic artery proper

Question 29

What are the two major vessels supplying blood INTO the liver?

Answer 29

Hepatic artery | Hepatic portal vein

Question 30

In total how many lobes are there in the liver?

Answer 30

8

Question 31

The common bile duct along with the ___ drains into the ______?

Answer 31

Alongside the pancreatic duct drains into the duodenum

Question 32

What are the two functions of the spleen?

Answer 32

Filtration and storage of red blood cells Immune function

Question 33

Which of the germ layers is the spleen derived from?

Answer 33

Mesodermal origin

Question 34

Of the nine regions of the abdomen, is the spleen located in?

Answer 34

Left hypochondrium

Question 35

The simultaneous enlargement of both liver and spleen is called..?

Answer 35

Hepatosplenomegaly

Question 36

What is the function of the gallbladder?

Answer 36

Storage and concentration of the bile

Question 37

In which portion of the duodenum is the Hepatopancreatic ampulla of Vater found?

Answer 37

D2 - Descending

Question 38

What is the hepatopancreatic ampulla?

Answer 38

It is a structure formed by the union of the pancreatic duct and common bile duct

Question 39

The hepatopancreatic ampulla / Ampulla of Vater is located where on D2?

Answer 39

The major duodenal papilla

Question 40

What is the diagnostic procedure used to examine disease of the liver, bile duct and pancreas?

Answer 40

ERCP

Question 41

What is choleslithiasis?

Answer 41

Gallstones in the gallbladder

Question 42

What are the functions of the kidneys?

Answer 42

Homeostasis and removal of excess organic molecules from blood

Question 43

What is a ureter?

Answer 43

Connection between kidneys and bladder