[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) › Liver segment VII [Digestive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/digestive-system/) · [Abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) # Liver segment VII Liver segment VII is the upper back part of the right liver, high under the right dome of the diaphragm and hidden behind the ribs. Official name: Posterior lateral segment of liver [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=abdomen&select=liver_segment_7&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is Liver segment VII: the upper back part of the right lobe. ## What it does Because each segment has its own supply, surgeons can remove one or more segments and leave the rest working. ## Key points - Upper back part of the right [liver](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/liver/), high under the right dome of the diaphragm; much of it lies on the bare area, without [peritoneum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/peritoneum/) - One of the hardest segments to reach: hidden behind the [ribs](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ribs/) and the diaphragm, it often needs full mobilization of the right liver - Right posterior section (VI–VII): separated from the right anterior section by the right hepatic vein, which drains it close to its entry into the inferior vena cava ## Key facts **Where** Right posterior section, superior part; posterior right liver under the diaphragm **Blood supply** Right posterior portal pedicle; drains into right hepatic vein **Nerve** Hepatic plexus (celiac sympathetic and vagal fibres) along its portal pedicle, shared with the whole liver **Function** Independent surgical unit; bile to right posterior sectoral duct ## Relations **Above** Right dome of the [diaphragm](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/diaphragm/), with the right pleural recess and lung base above **Behind** Bare area against the diaphragm, with the [right adrenal gland](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/suprarenal-gland-abdomen/) and the top of the right [kidney](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/kidney/) nearby **Medial** [Inferior vena cava](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-vena-cava/), where the right hepatic vein enters it **In front** [Liver segment VIII](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-medial-segment-of-liver/), across the plane of the right hepatic vein **Below** [Liver segment VI](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/anterior-lateral-segment-of-liver/) ## How to find it Under the lower posterior right ribs, high and toward the back; in surgery it is reached only after dividing the right triangular and coronary ligaments and rotating the right liver toward the midline. ## On imaging On CT or MRI it is the upper posterior part of the right liver, behind the right hepatic vein and above the portal plane. On ultrasound it is often hidden under the ribs and lung and needs intercostal views with deep breathing. ## Common problems - Fatty liver disease, very common with obesity and diabetes. - Hepatitis (viral, alcohol). - Cirrhosis: scarring that can lead to liver failure and portal hypertension. - Liver cancer and metastases. ## How it is diagnosed Blood tests (liver enzymes), ultrasound, elastography, CT or MRI, biopsy. ## Treatment - Treat the cause (weight loss, antiviral medicines, stopping alcohol); surgery to remove segments; liver transplant for failure. ## Clinical notes - Amoebic abscesses and hydatid cysts favour the upper back of the right liver; from here they can break through the diaphragm into the [pleura](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/pleura/) or lung - A tumour here close to the right hepatic vein may need a right posterior sectionectomy or a right hepatectomy instead of a single-segment resection ## Related conditions - [Amoebic liver abscess](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/amoebic-liver-abscess/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Where is liver segment VII? The upper back part of the right liver, high under the right dome of the diaphragm, much of it on the bare area. ## Which vein drains liver segment VII? The right hepatic vein, close to its entry into the IVC; it separates the right posterior from the right anterior section. ## Which lesions favour liver segment VII and what can they do? Amoebic abscesses and hydatid cysts; from here they can break through the diaphragm into the pleura or lung. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/posterior-lateral-segment-of-liver/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** segmentum posterius laterale dextrum hepatis TA2 3080 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Segmento VII del hígado DeCS D008099 **English (TA2)** Posterior lateral segment of liver **Also called** segment VII of liver Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=8272); [Diagnostic Imaging of the Liver](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557460/); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Liver](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500014/); [23.6 Accessory Organs in Digestion: The Liver, Pancreas, and Gallbladder](https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/23-6-accessory-organs-in-digestion-the-liver-pancreas-and-gallbladder) (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-lateral-segment-of-liver/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/posterior-lateral-segment-of-liver/