Abstract:

Objective　To investigate the applied anatomy of the rabbit liver and its affiliated conduit. Methods   Twenty livers of Japanese rabbits were observed in vivo and studied in vitro;corrosive vascular cast of the portal vein and hepatic vein was made and the weight of the each lobe was measured with its proportion to the whole liver calculated.    Results    According to the hepatic shape, fissure and branches of the portal vein, the rabbit liver is divided into five lobes : the caudate lobe, the left lateral lobe, the left middle lobe, the right middle lobe, the right lateral lobe; the average weight of each lobe is (g):3.93 ±1.13;15.93±3.50; 14.83±3.31; 15.08±4.34; 12.08±3.55, respectively. The rabbit liver has the relatively independent lobes with exception made for the left middle lobe and the right middle lobe, whose parenchyma are partially connected. In addition, the caudate lobe includes the caudate process and the papillary process. Each hepatic lobe has its relative independent hepatic pedicle containing the Glisson system and the hepatic vein.   Conclusion    Applied anatomy of rabbit liver has similarities to other major laboratory mammals, but it has some of its own characteristics. The rabbit is a suitable model for experimental liver surgery

Key words: Rabbit, Liver, Applied anatomy