The bare area of the liver (nonperitoneal area) is a large triangular area on the
diaphragmatic surface of the
liver. It is the only part of the liver with no
peritoneal covering, although it is still covered by
Glisson’s capsule
The liver is a major organ only found in vertebrates which performs many essential biological functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the synthesis of proteins and biochemicals necessary for digestion and growth. In humans, it i ...
. It is attached directly to the
diaphragm
Diaphragm may refer to:
Anatomy
* Thoracic diaphragm, a thin sheet of muscle between the thorax and the abdomen
* Pelvic diaphragm or pelvic floor, a pelvic structure
* Urogenital diaphragm or triangular ligament, a pelvic structure
Other
* Diap ...
by
loose connective tissue. The bare area of the liver is relevant to the
portacaval anastomosis, encloses the right extraperitoneal subphrenic space, and can be a site of spread of infection from the
abdominal cavity
The abdominal cavity is a large body cavity in humans and many other animals that contains many organs. It is a part of the abdominopelvic cavity. It is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity. Its dome-shaped roof is the th ...
to the
thoracic cavity
Structure
The bare area of the liver is found on the posterosuperior surface of the
right lobe of the
liver.
This lies close to the
thoracic diaphragm. It is the only part of the liver that has no
peritoneal covering.
It lies between the two layers of the coronary ligament, as well as the
right triangular ligament.
The
coronary ligament represents reflections of the visceral peritoneum covering the liver onto the
diaphragm
Diaphragm may refer to:
Anatomy
* Thoracic diaphragm, a thin sheet of muscle between the thorax and the abdomen
* Pelvic diaphragm or pelvic floor, a pelvic structure
* Urogenital diaphragm or triangular ligament, a pelvic structure
Other
* Diap ...
.
The bare area of the liver is attached to the thoracic diaphragm by
loose connective tissue.
It touches the bottom surface of the diaphragm.
It is also not covered in capsule.
Clinical significance
The bare area of the liver is clinically important because of the
portacaval anastomosis. It is a site where infection can spread from the
abdominal cavity
The abdominal cavity is a large body cavity in humans and many other animals that contains many organs. It is a part of the abdominopelvic cavity. It is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity. Its dome-shaped roof is the th ...
to the
thoracic cavity. It encloses the right extraperitoneal subphrenic space.
History
The bare area of the liver may also be known as the nonperitoneal area.
References
Additional images
File:Slide2CHA.JPG, Bare area of the liver.Diaphragmatic surface of liver.
External links
* - "Stomach, Spleen and Liver: Ligaments of the Liver"
*
{{Portal bar, Anatomy
Liver anatomy