Anatomy is the foundation of surgery. Precise knowledge of liver anatomy is the prerequisite and key for every liver surgeon to safely and successfully perform liver surgery. Many scholars in history have proposed different liver segmentation methods, among which the eight-segment liver segmentation method proposed by Couinaud is the most widely accepted segmentation method, and it is also the most used method in clinical surgical application and academic communication of liver surgeons. However, with the advocacy of the concept of "precision liver resection" and the requirement of surgery to preserve the maximum liver parenchyma, surgeons need to have a better understanding of the internal anatomy of the liver, identify different anatomical variations, and accurately locate the site of liver lesions, so as to achieve more accurate liver resection and reduce perioperative complications. We reviewed the outstanding contributions of the liver surgery community to the study of liver anatomy, summarized the new segmentation methods proposed in recent years combined with imaging technology, and briefly summarized the progress and clinical application of liver anatomy research.
