Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology 2023;10(3):138–144 Content available at: https://www.ipinnovative.com/open-access-journals Indian Journal of Clinical Anatomy and Physiology Journal homepage: https://www.ijcap.org/ Review Article Embryology, anatomy and physiology of the liver: Review Komang Trisna Sumadewi 1, * 1 Dept. of Anatomy-Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Warmadewa University, Bali, Indonesia ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 28-06-2023 Accepted 13-09-2023 Available online 21-10-2023 Keywords: Liver Embryology Anatomy Physiology ABSTRACT The liver, located within the peritoneal cavity, is in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Additionally, it should be noted that the liver holds the distinction of being the largest gland within the human body, as well as the most extensive visceral tissue situated within the abdominal cavity. One of the factors contributing to the early migration of the developing intestines to an extracoelomic location during fetal development is their relatively bigger size in children, weighing between 1400 and 1800 g in adults. It contributes to the development of a distended abdomen in pediatric populations. The liver is situated in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and spans across the midline to the left upper quadrant. The heart remains susceptible to regular injuries despite the protective presence of ribs and cartilage. The liver, functioning as an accessory organ in digestion, undertakes several metabolic processes, including drug metabolism, bile production, and bilirubin synthesis, alongside numerous other functions. For a considerable period, medical professionals and anatomists have encountered challenges in comprehending the complex functions of the liver. Significant advancements in the comprehension of liver anatomy have contributed significantly to the notable progress observed in various surgical and interventional radiologic procedures involving hepatic artery infusion pumps, liver ablation, transplantation, transarterial chemoembolization, selective internal radiation therapy, and portal vein embolization. The existence of hepatic structure is crucial for developing and implementing gradual therapies. This page aims to provide an academic overview of the embryology, anatomy, and function of the liver. This is an Open Access (OA) journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. For reprints contact: reprint@ipinnovative.com 1. Introduction Based on embryological principles, it is understood that the liver originates from the endoderm layer of the developing embryo. 1 This endoderm layer subsequently differentiates into both the morphological and functional components of the liver, as depicted in Figure 1. 2,3 The liver is protected by the structure of the rib cage and held in position through peritoneal reflection, which is alternatively referred to as ligamentous attachment. The location of this structure is within the right superior quadrant of the abdominal cavity, positioned under the right hemidiaphragm. The * Corresponding author. E-mail address: drtriscel@gmail.com (K. T. Sumadewi). common hepatic artery, originating from the celiac trunk, is responsible for delivering oxygenated blood to the liver and serves as this organ’s primary source of blood supply. The convergence of the central veins results in the formation of the hepatic veins. These veins facilitate the direct blood flow from the liver to the inferior vena cava (IVC), bypassing the diaphragm. Bile is vital as a fluid in facilitating the elimination of poisons that surpass the kidneys’ capacity for removal. Bile facilitates the absorption and digestion of lipids by the secretion of bile salts and acids. The involvement of the liver in the metabolism and/or detoxification of xenobiotics is of utmost importance. 3,4 https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijcap.2023.031 2394-2118/© 2023 Author(s), Published by Innovative Publication. 138