Liver weight and the dimensions of its vessels and biliary ducts: a study on 40 Iranian cadavers

ABSTRACT

The number of liver transplantations are increasing in Iran. Precise knowledge concerning the anatomical dimensions and the effect of racial and environmental factors on them is of importance. This study was carried out to determine the anatomical dimensions of the liver, its vessels and biliary ducts in cadavers autopsied in the Medical Foundation in 1997. A total number of 40 cadavers without any abdominal surgeries or crushed intra-abdominal organs were studied. The personal and demographics attributes along with anatomical dimensions of the hepatic artery, portal vein, biliary, hepatic and cystic ducts ducts, their variants and probable anomalies along with the total liver weight were recorded. The cadavers were within the age range of 37 +/- 9 years and the weight range of 64 +/- 9 Kg. In all cases the portal vein was normal with a length ranging 8.3 +/- 2.2 cm. In 15% of the subjects the hepatic artery [right branch of superior mesenteric artery] was abnormal. The length of extra-hepatic ducts was 8.6 +/- 1.7 cm and the weight of the liver was 1453 +/- 260 g. The anatomical dimensions of liver, its vessels and biliary ducts were different from western reports. It is recommended to perform more detailed research on corpses from habitants of the region