The human biliary system is composed of the liver, gallbladder, and bile duct. Understanding these complex systems will guide the students in training for better anatomical knowledge in the vein, artery, lymph nodes, and functional activities.

1. THE Biliary
System
Liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts
Obaje Godwin Sunday BSc., MSc.,
PhD., (ABU, Nigeria)
Faculty member; Alex Ekwueme
Federal University Ndufu Alike,
Ebonyi State, Nigeria
PRESENTED BY
ANATOMY 202, 2023

2. Basic Anatomy of Biliary
system
Liver Function: The liver produces bile, a fluid
necessary for digestion that helps break down
fats in the small intestine.
Bile Ducts: These are the channels that
transport bile from the liver to the gallbladder for
storage and later to the small intestine for
digestion.
Gallbladder: A small organ that stores bile
produced by the liver. It releases bile into the
small intestine when needed for digestion.
Basic Anatomy of Biliary
system
Bilirubin Metabolism: Bilirubin, a waste product
from the breakdown of red blood cells, is
processed in the liver and excreted in bile.
Gallstones: These are hardened deposits that
can form in the gallbladder, often causing pain
and other complications, sometimes requiring
medical intervention.
Biliary Diseases: Conditions like cholecystitis
(inflammation of the gallbladder) or cholangitis
(inflammation of the bile ducts) can affect the
biliary system's function.
Biliary Cirrhosis: Chronic liver disease that
damages the bile ducts, leading to reduced bile
flow and potential liver damage.

3. Basic Anatomy of Biliary
system
Bilirubin and Jaundice: When there's a buildup
of bilirubin in the blood, it can cause yellowing of
the skin and eyes, known as jaundice, indicating
potential liver or bile duct issues.
Bile Composition: Bile contains bile salts,
cholesterol, bilirubin, and waste products. Its
composition influences its digestive functions.
Basic Anatomy of Biliary
system
Digestive Role: Bile helps emulsify fats,
breaking them down into smaller droplets that
enzymes can digest, aiding in the absorption of
fats and fat-soluble vitamins.
Understanding the biliary system's structure,
functions, and associated disorders is crucial for
maintaining proper digestion and overall health.

4. Gross Anatomy of Liver
Location: The liver is the largest internal organ
and is situated in the upper right portion of the
abdomen, beneath the diaphragm.
Lobes: It consists of four primary lobes—right
lobe, left lobe, quadrate lobe, and caudate lobe.
The right lobe is the largest and further divided
into anterior and posterior segments.
Blood Supply: The liver receives blood from
two sources: the hepatic artery, providing
oxygenated blood, and the portal vein, supplying
nutrient-rich blood from the digestive system.
Gross Anatomy of Liver
Gallbladder Relation: The liver is closely
associated with the gallbladder, which stores
and concentrates bile produced by the liver. The
bile is released into the small intestine for
digestion.
Structure: It has a unique structure with a dual
blood supply and a complex network of small
bile ducts (biliary tree) that drain bile from the
liver.
Capsule and Ligaments: The liver is enveloped
by a connective tissue capsule. Ligaments like
the falciform ligament and the round ligament
(ligamentum teres) help attach and support the
liver within the abdominal cavity.

5. Functional Units: Liver lobes consist of
functional units called hepatic lobules, which are
hexagonal in shape and contain specialized liver
cells known as hepatocytes.
Vascular System: The liver has a unique
vascular arrangement within each lobule, with
branches of the hepatic artery and portal vein
running alongside hepatic sinusoids, allowing for
the exchange of nutrients, oxygen, and waste
products.
Biliary System: The liver's bile ducts collect bile
produced by hepatocytes and carry it to larger
ducts within the liver, eventually forming the
common hepatic duct that transports bile to the
gallbladder and the small intestine.
Gross Anatomy of Liver
Gross Anatomy of Liver
Regeneration: The liver has an exceptional
capacity to regenerate. Even after injury or
surgical removal, it can regenerate to its original
size, owing to the proliferation of hepatocytes.
Understanding the gross anatomy of the liver is
crucial for comprehending its functions,
disorders, and its significance in metabolism,
detoxification, and digestion.

6. • Functional unit
• Liver identification (Histology)
• Location
• Lobes
• Blood supply
Gross Anatomy of Liver

7. Gross Anatomy of Liver
• Capsule and Ligaments
• Relations

8. Falciform ligament
• Within the lower edge of the falciform
ligament is the ligamentum teres
(round ligament), a remnant of the
obliterated umbilical vein (ductus
venosus) that travels from the
umbilicus into the umbilical fissure
where it is in continuity with the
ligamentum venosum as it joins the
left branch of the portal vein.
• The ligamentum venosum lies within
a fissure on the inferior surface of the
liver between the caudate lobe
posteriorly and the left lobe anteriorly,
where it is also invested by the
peritoneal folds of the lesser
omentum (gastrohepatic ligament).
• During fetal life, the ductus venosus is
responsible for shunting a majority of
blood flow of the umbilical vein
directly into the IVC.

9. Falciform ligament
• After birth, the umbilical vein closes
as the physiologic neonatal circulation
begins.
• In the presence of portal
hypertension, the umbilical vein may
recanalize to allow portasystemic
collateralization through the
abdominal wall, known as caput
medusae.
• After birth, the umbilical vein closes
as the physiologic neonatal circulation
begins.
• In the presence of portal
hypertension, the umbilical vein may
recanalize to allow portasystemic
collateralization through the
abdominal wall, known as caput
medusae.

10. Gross Anatomy of the
gallbladder
Location: The gallbladder is situated in the
inferior surface of the liver, primarily in the
right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
Shape and Size: Typically, the gallbladder
resembles a pear-shaped sac, measuring
around 7 to 10 centimeters in length.
Structure: It consists of three main parts -
the fundus (the rounded bottom), the body,
and the neck. The neck connects to the cystic
duct, which further joins the common hepatic
duct to form the common bile duct.
Mucosal Folds: The interior lining of the
gallbladder has numerous mucosal folds
called rugae, which allow for expansion and
contraction.

11. Gallbladder
Wall Layers: The gallbladder wall comprises
three layers: mucosa (innermost), muscularis
(middle), and serosa (outermost).
Blood Supply: The gallbladder receives its
blood supply from the cystic artery, a branch
of the hepatic artery.
Nerve Supply: It is innervated by autonomic
nerves from the coeliac plexus.
Function: The gallbladder acts as a reservoir
for bile produced by the liver. It concentrates
and stores bile before releasing it into the
small intestine to aid in digestion.
Biliary System Connection: It connects to
the hepatic ducts via the cystic duct and
stores and concentrates bile produced by the
liver.
Common Pathologies: Gallstones are a
common issue related to the gallbladder,
leading to blockages in the ducts and causing
pain or inflammation (cholecystitis). Other
conditions include polyps, infections, and in
severe cases, cancer.

12. There are kissing diseases that can damage the liver