Relations of the liver

[jsmith613]

My anatomy teacher said "The liver does not reach under the left hemidiaphragm".
All of the images / 3D models I have seen have suggested this is wrong.
My question is, am I right in thinking he is wrong or is he correct? If he is correct what seperates the left lobe of the lung from the left hemidiaphragm?
Thanks

[SirSmattering]

You're right - if you look at any diagram of the liver, you'll see that it crosses the midline and lies under the left hemidiaphragm. Where the confusion might be arising is that the liver doesn't actually make contact with the left hemidiaphragm.

 

The liver is covered by a thin layer of peritoneum, the structure of which is complicated and I'm sure you'll be bombarded with teaching on it. There is a 'bare' area of the liver which isn't covered by peritoneum which lies underneath the right hemidiaphragm where the surface of the liver makes actual contact. This isn't present on the other side.

 

Hope that helps!