Morphology and morphometry of fissures on the liver surface, an anatomical study based on cadaver dissection

• Author Details:   
• Jyoti P. Kulkarni ^*
• Sohanna S.K.
• Sandeep Gadamsetty
• Joy A. Ghoshal

Background: Fissures are seen on various surfaces of liver. Fissures like fissure for ligamentum teres hepatis, fissure for ligamentum venosum, porta hepatis are a regular feature on the visceral surface of liver. Some fissures like fissure of Gan’s is seen as a variation. Fissures which are observed as a variation are called as accessory fissures. Fissures on the surface of liver play a crucial role in surgical navigations, radiological interpretations and anatomical studies. A comprehensive evaluation based on morphology and morphometry of these liver fissures has been done in this study.

Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 30 cadaver liver specimens fixed in 10% formalin. These liver specimens were obtained from human cadavers during routine undergraduate dissection classes. Morphology i.e shape of the fissure, any other associated feature and content at the base of the fissure if present was observed. Morphometry was studied by measuring the length, width and depth of fissures. Measurements were done with the help of a thread, divider and the scale.

Results: The average dimensions of fissure for ligamentum teres hepatis were found to be length 5.1cm, width 4.5mm and depth1.9cm. It was linear and vertically or sometimes obliquely placed. The average dimensions of fissure for ligamentum venosum were found to be length 6.1cm, width 7mm and depth 2.5cm. It was curvilinear and vertically placed. The average circumference of porta hepatis was 10.6cm and it had oval to elliptical silhouette. Amongst the accessory fissures the fissure of Gan’s which is also called as Rouviere’s sulcus was seen in 76.6% of cases with a curvilinear shape. Apart from fissure of Gan’s, there were other accessory fissures seen as a variation on the posterior surface of right lobe liver.

Conclusion: There is paucity of data regarding the morphology and morphometry of the hepatic fissures based on cadaver and imaging studies. These fissures on the surface of liver serve as an important landmark to delineate vascular structures in various surgical procedures and imaging studies. The morphological and morphometric observations will help the surgeons and radiologists during surgical interventions and radiological interpretations on liver.