The caudate lobe is the smallest segment of the liver structurally characterised by its size – smallest segment position between the portal vein anteriorly and ivc posteriorly shape two papillary processes inferiorly venous drainage direct to the ivc functionally characterised by contribution to the larger whole part of neither lobe made up from infundibulum papillary process common diseases include disease processes effecting the liver at large clinical presentation pain if capsule involved diagnostic studies include US, CT, MRI treatment is commonly by surgery, laparoscopic surgery