Anatomy of the liver

Over the past decades, great progress has been made in surgery on the liver . Technical achievements and the strict application of anatomical knowledge to surgical practice have added a new dimension to the field of liver surg ery. In some cases, new facts about the anatomy of the liver needed conside rable time before being implemented. Surgery of liver metastases, primary t umours of the liver and not least liver transplantation have focussed the i nterest of visceral surgeons more and more on this organ. Segment-orientate d liver anatomy, a knowledge and consideration of vascular structures, and the observance of anatomical landmarks are the prerequisites for successful surgery on the liver.