Final answer:
The liver is located in the upper right part of the abdomen and is largely positioned within the right upper quadrant. It has a complex structure with two main lobes, and it plays several roles in metabolism and digestion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Liver's Location and Structure
The liver is a vital organ found in the upper right part of the abdomen, protected by the ribcage and situated inferior to the diaphragm. It is the largest gland in the body, playing an essential role in metabolism, regulation, and digestion by secreting bile. The liver is divided into a larger right lobe and a smaller left lobe, further divided by anatomists into the quadrate and caudate lobes based on internal features. Health care providers frequently refer to the abdominal cavity being divided into four quadrants or nine regions for easier communication about symptoms or findings.
A critical portion of the liver resides in the right upper quadrant of the abdominal cavity. When discussing the structure of the liver, it is also important to recognize its peritoneal ligaments and blood supply from the hepatic artery. Each lobe of the liver is made up of functional units called lobules, with millions of hepatic cells or hepatocytes carrying out the liver's various functions.