Lobe (anatomy)

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

In practice, this division can be somewhat subjective. For example, it can be difficult to precisely distinguish between a interlobar duct and a interlobular duct.

Furthermore, the distinction is not universally accepted, and some sources simply consider a lobule to be a small lobe.

Examples of lobes

 * The four lobes of the human cortex
 * the frontal lobe
 * the parietal lobe
 * the occipital lobe
 * the temporal lobe
 * The three lobes of the human cerebellum
 * the flocculonodular lobe
 * the anterior lobe
 * the posterior lobe
 * the earlobe
 * lobes of the lung
 * Right lung: superior, middle, inferior
 * Left lung: superior and inferior
 * the liver
 * Left lobe of liver
 * Right lobe of liver
 * Quadrate lobe of liver
 * Caudate lobe of liver
 * the kidney
 * Renal lobe and cortical lobule