Gross Anatomical Measurements of the Human Liver in Adult Corpses at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria

The liver is the largest solid organ in the human body and serves vital metabolic, haematological, and detoxification functions. Accurate knowledge of its dimensions is essential for interpreting radiological findings, planning surgical interventions, and evaluating pathological enlargement. Standard reference values for liver dimensions in the literature are largely derived from European and North American populations, raising questions about their applicability to Nigerian adults. This study seeks to establish normative gross anatomical measurements of the human liver among adult cadavers at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, located in the North West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Cadaveric specimens will be assessed for liver length, breadth, thickness, and weight using standardised morphometric instruments. Data will be disaggregated by sex and age groups to detect any significant variation patterns. Statistical comparison will be made against available West African data sets. The study anticipates generating reference values applicable to clinical practice in northern Nigeria, particularly for radiologists and hepatic surgeons who require region-specific normative ranges. By providing locally relevant anatomical data, this research addresses the gap in Nigerian-specific hepatic morphometry and supports evidence-based clinical decision-making in resource-limited settings.

Keywords: liver morphometry, gross anatomy, cadaveric measurement, Nigerian adults, hepatic dimensions