Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 6, 2026

Lobe (anatomy)

In anatomy, a lobe is a clear anatomical division or extension of an organ that can be determined without the use of a microscope at the gross anatomy level. This is in contrast to the much smaller lobule, which is a clear division only visible under the microscope.

Last revised
Jun 6, 2026
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Lobes
Visceral surface of the liver showing the four lobes
Identifiers
TA98A13.1.02.002
FMA45728
Anatomical terminology

In anatomy, a lobe is a clear anatomical division or extension1 of an organ (as seen for example in the brain, lung, liver, or kidney) that can be determined without the use of a microscope at the gross anatomy level. This is in contrast to the much smaller lobule, which is a clear division only visible under the microscope.2

Interlobar ducts connect lobes and interlobular ducts connect lobules.

Examples of lobes

Examples of lobules

Lobules of the mammary glands. source ↗
References

References

  1. "Types of lobes". eMedicine Dictionary. Archived from the original on 27 September 2017.
  2. "Histology of Glands". Southern Illinois University (SIU), Carbondale, Illinois. Archived from the original on 25 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.