Male Left Liver Lateral Division, Superior View

Description

Seen from an elevated superior perspective, the lateral division of the left hepatic lobe occupies the left upper quadrant immediately inferior to the diaphragm. Segment II lies more posterior and superior than segment III, which extends anteroinferiorly toward the falciform ligament and the free edge of the left lobe. Medially, the plane of the fissure for the ligamentum teres and the falciform ligament separates this lateral division from the medial division (segment IV) adjacent to the middle hepatic vein territory. Smooth convexity dominates. A cranial, top-down view is the one surgeons want when orienting to the diaphragmatic surface during laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy, where the resection typically targets segments II and III while preserving inflow to segment IV. The superior contour also helps explain why subphrenic collections and left hepatic abscesses can track along the diaphragmatic interface, and why referred shoulder pain may accompany irritation in this region. For teaching Couinaud segmentation, this angle makes the segment II versus III split intuitive because their relationship to the left hepatic vein and the left triangular ligament is easier to conceptualize on the dome. Ideal for hepatobiliary surgery atlases, radiology teaching files that correlate to axial CT and coronal MR reconstructions, and anatomy curricula covering peritoneal reflections and functional liver segments in adult male donors. It also supports patient-facing counseling materials for planned left lateral segment resection or living donor left lateral graft harvest. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.