Liver anatomy

The liver is a large, vital organ located in the upper right side of your abdomen, just beneath your ribs. It performs many essential functions, including filtering toxins from the blood, producing blood-clotting proteins, and generating bile to help digest fats. The liver is divided into two main sections called lobes—right and left—and contains smaller structures called lobules, which are microscopic units where processing occurs. Blood flows into the liver through the portal vein and hepatic artery, and processed blood exits through the hepatic veins. Its complex, highly organized structure allows it to efficiently carry out its crucial roles.