What role does the main lobar fissure play in liver anatomy?

The main lobar fissure serves a crucial role in liver anatomy by separating the left and right lobes of the liver. This anatomical landmark is a visible line that runs from the gallbladder fossa to the IVC (inferior vena cava), and it is essential for delineating the two lobes. Understanding the layout of the liver and its lobes is pivotal in both imaging studies and surgical procedures.

While the main lobar fissure visually separates the liver into distinct lobes, it does not divide the liver into quadrants, hold the portal triad, or connect the liver to the spleen. The portal triad, which consists of the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct, is not contained within the main lobar fissure but is instead located within the lesser omentum. The connection to the spleen relates to the splenic artery and vein, which are part of the vascular supply but not directly related to the lobar anatomy of the liver.