Anatomy of the Liver & Pancreas

The liver and pancreas form important parts of the gastrointestinal system. Both deliver digestive enzymes to the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine.

Liver--Overall Anatomy

• The liver lies between the diaphragm and the stomach. Viewed from the front, it has a large lobe on the right and a small lobe on the left, separated by the ligament that attaches the liver to the diaphragm. The bile duct brings liver enzymes to the gall bladder, which empties into the duodenum.

Liver--Cellular Liver Anatomy

• The liver, or hepatic, cells group together in functional units called lobules. Each lobule is organized around a blood vessel and a branch of the bile duct.

Pancreas--Overall Anatomy

• The pancreas is much smaller than the liver. Roughly pear shaped, the pancreas lies behind the stomach, with its widest part nestled in the curve of the duodenum. The duct of Wirsung delivers pancreatic enzymes to the duodenum to aid digestion.

Pancreas--Cellular Anatomy

• Groups of acinar cells resembling clusters of grapes make up the bulk of the pancreas. Acinar cells produce digestive enzymes, while the cells of the islets of Langerhans produce insulin and other hormones. The islets of Langerhans lie scattered among the acinar cells.