Main Portal Fissure of the Male Liver, Inferior View

Description

Seen from the inferior surface of the male liver, the main portal fissure (fissura portalis principalis) is traced as a right parasagittal plane that extends from the gallbladder fossa anteriorly toward the groove for the inferior vena cava posteriorly. Medially lies the functional left lobe, while laterally the functional right lobe dominates the visceral surface, with the fissure aligning with the classic Linea Cantlie. The quadrate lobe sits anteromedial to the fissure near the neck of the gallbladder, and the caudate lobe lies posteromedial in close relationship to the IVC groove and the porta hepatis. A key landmark. Understanding this principal plane matters because it describes functional, not purely morphological, hepatic anatomy, the basis of Couinaud segmentation and modern hepatobiliary surgery. Surgeons use the Linea Cantlie to plan a right or left hepatectomy, approximating the course of the middle hepatic vein and the watershed between right and left portal pedicles, and it guides safer parenchymal transection during donor hepatectomy or major tumor resection. Radiology reports lean on the same concept when localizing lesions by segment and predicting which portal and hepatic venous territories will be affected. Use this illustration in hepatobiliary anatomy teaching, surgical atlases describing porta hepatis relationships, and operative planning materials for anatomic liver resections, including discussions of the principal plane on CT or intraoperative ultrasound correlation. It also fits well in exam prep content covering functional lobes, the gallbladder fossa, and the IVC groove as external markers of internal vascular territories. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.