Avian Liver - Anatomy & Physiology

Structure

The liver has 2 lobes. It is dark brown coloured (except just after hatching where it is yellow). The right lobe larger than left lobe. It is positioned ventral and caudal to the heart (as there is no diaphragm). It is closely associated to the proventriculus and spleen. It has a thin capsule and indistinct lobation. 2 bile ducts enter the distal duodenum, one from each lobe of the liver. The duct from the right lobe is connected to the gallbladder. Hepatic lobules are indistinct (except near hilus) due to a lack of perilobular connective tissue. Avian bile aids the emulsification of fats and contains amylase and lipase.