Anomalies and Anatomic Variants of the Liver

Abstract

Knowledge of the anomalies and anatomical variants of the liver is often of great importance because these may be misinterpreted as pathologic conditions. While congenital anomalies of the liver are rare, anatomic variants are relatively common. The congenital anomalies of the liver include agenesis or hypoplasia of the hepatic lobes or segments, Riedel's lobe, and other accessory hepatic lobe. Anatomic variants contain accessory fissures and diaphragmatic slips, sliver of the liver, and variants related to papillary process of the caudate lobe.