The liver is the largest internal organ located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen just below the diaphragm. It is a highly vascular organ containing 10-20% of total blood volume.

The basic functional units of the liver are the hexagonal lobules, which are surrounded by connective tissue. In the corner of each lobule is a portal triad composed of the portal vein, hepatic artery, and hepatic duct. Through the middle of the lobule runs a central vein surrounded by the hepatic cords composed of hepatocytes (liver epithelial cells). The spaces between the cords are filled by liver sinusoids connecting the portal triads with the central vein and containing endothelial cells as well as Kupffer cells (hepatic phagocytic cells). The lobules are organized into four lobes, two major (right and left) and two minor (caudate and quadrate).

Oxygenated blood comes into the liver through the hepatic artery...