Liver span
Liver span is a term used in medicine to describe the physical measurement of the liver's size. This measurement is typically taken during a physical examination, and can provide important information about a patient's health.
Measurement[edit | edit source]
The liver span is measured in centimeters and is typically determined by percussion, a method in which the doctor taps on the patient's abdomen to feel for the liver's edge. The normal liver span is 6 to 12 centimeters in children and 10 to 15 centimeters in adults.
Significance[edit | edit source]
An increased liver span can be a sign of hepatomegaly, or an enlarged liver. This can be caused by a number of conditions, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. A decreased liver span can be a sign of atrophy, or shrinkage of the liver. This can occur in severe liver disease or after surgical removal of part of the liver.
Related Terms[edit | edit source]
- Hepatomegaly: An enlargement of the liver beyond its normal size.
- Cirrhosis: A late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism.
- Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver, commonly caused by a viral infection, but there are other possible causes of hepatitis.
- Liver cancer: A type of cancer that starts in the liver.
- Atrophy: The partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body.
See Also[edit | edit source]
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