interhepatic

Interhepatic refers to a condition or process that occurs within or between the lobes of the liver. The liver is a vital organ divided into several lobes, and these lobes are interconnected by a network of blood vessels and bile ducts. Interhepatic can describe anatomical structures that bridge these lobes or physiological processes that take place across them. For example, certain blood vessels or bile ducts may be described as interhepatic if their course traverses from one lobe of the liver to another.

In a pathological context, interhepatic can refer to the spread of a disease process from one part of the liver to another through these connecting structures. For instance, an infection or tumor that originates in one lobe might spread to adjacent lobes via interhepatic pathways. Understanding interhepatic anatomy and physiology is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of various liver diseases, including surgical planning and the management of liver transplantation. Medical imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI are often used to visualize interhepatic structures and assess any abnormalities.