Abstract

Summary: The objective of this study is to describe the variations in liver shape and the characteristics of the main liver sulci in adult Senegalese subjects. Material and method: We collected 51 livers from adult Senegalese subjects of both sexes. For each specimen, we identified the shape and sulci on the different surfaces. This allowed us to determine whether the right and left ventro-dorsal sulci were complete or incomplete, and to look for the presence of a hepatic bridge in cases of incomplete sulci on the visceral surface. Results: We observed a predominance of the ovoid shape of the liver (57% of cases), diaphragmatic grooves which were rare but present (9.3% of cases) and a ventrodorsal groove mostly complete on the left (63% of cases) than on the right (13.2% of cases). However, the incomplete segments of the right and left ventro-dorsal sulci were filled by a bridge of hepatic tissue which constituted the paracave portion of the caudate lobe on the right in 93.79% of cases. On the left, the absence of the umbilical ligament in 9.8% of cases resulted in complete fusion of the quadrate lobe with the left lobe. The presence of accessory grooves on the visceral surface was noted in 69% of cases, as well as an accessory lobe located between the venous ligament and the umbilical ligament. Conclusion: This work has highlighted numerous morphological variations of the liver in people of African descent in Senegal. Knowledge of these variations is essential for the surgical management of particularly malignant liver diseases.

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