MORPHOGENESIS OF THE LIVER AND ITS ADJACENT STRUCTURES IN THE HUMAN PREFETUSES

Abstract

The development of the liver and its adjacent structures were studied by means of a complex of morphological methods in the prefetal period of human ontogenesis. A significant increase in the size of the liver is observed during the prefetal period. At this time it is found to be the largest organ in the abdominal cavity and occupies its top and middle parts. The formation of the main structures on the visceral surface of the organ where right and left sagittal fissures are accurately defined has been studied. The gallbladder is located in the anterior part of the right sagittal sulcus; the umbilical vein is located in the anterior part of the left anterior sagittal sulcus. The structure of the hepatic-duodenal ligament and topographic-anatomical relationships between the elements passing inside of this structure has been described. The aforementioned ligament significantly exceeds the hepatic-gastric ligament in thickness. This is associated with the fact that the elements of the ventral (common bile duct) and dorsal (hepatic portal vein and hepatic artery) mesogastrium are seen between its layers. Attention is drawn to the fact that the thickness of the hepatic-duodenal ligament varies in its different parts and gradually decreases from the gate of the liver towards the top of the duodenum and head of the pancreas.