The bare area of the liver (nonperitoneal area) is a large triangular area on the diaphragmatic surface of the

liver 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 the only part of the liver with no

peritoneal The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mes ...

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 ...

loose connective tissue Loose connective tissue, sometimes called areolar tissue, is a cellular connective tissue with thin and relatively sparse collagen fibers. Its ground substance occupies more volume than the fibers do. It has a viscous to gel-like consisten ...

. The bare area of the liver is relevant to the

portacaval anastomosis A portocaval anastomosis or porto-systemic anastomosis is a specific type of anastomosis that occurs between the veins of the portal circulation and those of the systemic circulation. When there is a blockage of the portal system, portocaval anas ...

, 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 th ...

to the

thoracic cavity The thoracic cavity (or chest cavity) is the chamber of the body of vertebrates that is protected by the thoracic wall (rib cage and associated skin, muscle, and fascia). The central compartment of the thoracic cavity is the mediastinum. There ...

Structure

The bare area of the liver is found on the posterosuperior surface of the

right lobe In human anatomy, the liver is divided grossly into four parts or lobes: the right lobe, the left lobe, the caudate lobe, and the quadrate lobe. Seen from the front – the diaphragmatic surface - the liver is divided into two lobes: the right ...

of the

. This lies close to the

thoracic diaphragm The thoracic diaphragm, or simply the diaphragm ( grc, διάφραγμα, diáphragma, partition), is a sheet of internal skeletal muscle in humans and other mammals that extends across the bottom of the thoracic cavity. The diaphragm is the m ...

. It is the only part of the liver that has no

covering. It lies between the two layers of the coronary ligament, as well as the

right triangular ligament The right triangular ligament is situated at the right extremity of the bare area, and is a small fold which passes to the diaphragm, being formed by the apposition of the upper and lower layers of the coronary ligament. Additional images Fi ...

. The

coronary ligament The coronary ligament of the liver refers to parts of the peritoneal reflections that hold the liver to the inferior surface of the diaphragm. Structure The convex ''diaphragmatic surface'' of the liver (anterior, superior and a little posterior) ...

represents reflections of the visceral peritoneum covering the liver onto the

. The bare area of the liver is attached to the thoracic diaphragm by

. 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

. It is a site where infection can spread from the

to the

. 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