Left Anterior Lateral Segment of the Male Liver, Ventral View

Description

Oriented in anatomical position, the ventral view centers on the left anterior lateral hepatic segment (Couinaud segment III) on the inferior portion of the left hepatic lobe, lying lateral to the falciform ligament and anterior to the lesser omentum. Its diaphragmatic (anterior) surface curves superiorly toward the left dome of the diaphragm, while the visceral (inferior) aspect slopes toward the gastric impression along the lesser curvature side of the stomach. Segment III sits anterior and inferior to segment II and remains separated medially from segment IV by the left hepatic fissure (umbilical fissure) region, where the ligamentum teres approaches the liver’s inferior border. Segment III matters because it is a distinct portal territory with predictable inflow and outflow, which is why hepatobiliary surgeons and interventional radiologists rely on Couinaud segmentation when planning wedge resection, segmentectomy, or selective embolization. Portal vein branch anatomy and hepatic venous drainage define resection planes more reliably than surface lobar landmarks, and a ventral depiction helps you correlate the falciform ligament and umbilical fissure with the medial boundary used during left lateral sectionectomy (segments II and III). Clear boundaries reduce the risk of leaving ischemic parenchyma or injuring biliary radicles during parenchymal transection. Small segment. Big implications. Use this illustration in surgical anatomy teaching for upper abdominal procedures, in hepatobiliary oncology publications discussing segment-based resections for hepatocellular carcinoma or colorectal liver metastases, and in radiology education to map CT or MRI findings to segment III on preoperative planning diagrams. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.