Morphological Variations and Measurements of the Caudate Lobe of the Human Liver: A Cadaveric Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: The caudate lobe is an anatomic segment of the human liver and has a great clinical importance in hepatic diseases. Aim of Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological variations and anatomical measurements of the caudate lobe of the human liver that could be important in interpretation of its pathological conditions. Material and Methods: Measurements and morphological analysis of the caudate lobe of the human liver were determined in 56 formalin fixed human liver specimens in the Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt. Results: The common shape of the caudate lobe was rectangular. The mean length of the caudate lobe was 57.45±4.74mm while the mean of its transverse diameter was 27.49±2.82mm. The mean of transverse diameter of the right lobe of the liver was 90.58±7.76mm and also, the mean of caudate lobe-right lobe (CL/RL) ratio was 0.30±0.03. Conclusion: Variable shapes of the caudate lobe of the liver were present. The ratio of the transverse diameter of caudate lobe to that of the right lobe of the liver ranged between 0.22-0.38. The collected data in this study may be valuable to aid the surgeons in proper planning of hepatic surgery and to avoid the misdiagnosis of hepatic diseases.