Final answer:
The liver is traditionally divided into two primary lobes, but there are two additional lobes recognized internally, known as the quadrate and caudate lobes, totaling four lobes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The human liver is a vital organ with complex structures and functions. When we talk about the number of lobes in the liver, the liver is traditionally divided into two primary lobes, a large right lobe and a much smaller left lobe.
However, the right lobe is further divided internally, and some anatomists recognize two additional lobes, known as the quadrate lobe and the caudate lobe, making it a total of four lobes. Each lobe consists of many tiny lobules, which are the functional units of the liver containing hepatocytes, the main metabolic cells of the liver.