The liver is the largest gland in the body ; it fills the greater part of the right hypochondriac region, extends through the epigastric and slightly into the left hypochondriac region, an inch beyond the left margin of the sternum. It measures about 12 inches from right to left, 6 inches from front to back, and 3 inches vertically at the back of the right lobe. It weighs from 3 to 4 pounds. Its upper surface fits closely into the lower surface of the diaphragm ; its lower border at the left side is at about the sixth rib ; in the epigastric region it is midway between the ensiform cartilage and the umbilicus, lying partly over the stomach ; on the right side it follows the ribs pretty closely, descending about an inch below them in the upright position ; on the extreme right it descends as low as the first or second lumbar spine. It has two lobes—right and left ; the right lobe is much larger than the left, and has three subdivisions.

Relations.—Above, bases of lungs with diaphragm between; behind, stomach, first part duodenum, hepatic flexure, right kidney and suprarenal capsule, gall-bladder.