Hepatomegaly is the medical term for an abnormal enlargement of the liver beyond its normal size. It is a clinical sign rather than a disease in itself, indicating an underlying condition that is causing the liver to swell. Many processes can lead to hepatomegaly, including viral infections such as hepatitis, fatty …
Hepatomegaly is the medical term for an abnormal enlargement of the liver beyond its normal size. It is a clinical sign rather than a disease in itself, indicating an underlying condition that is causing the liver to swell. Many processes can lead to hepatomegaly, including viral infections such as hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis and other chronic liver disorders, blockage or congestion of blood flow, the accumulation of fat or abnormal substances in liver cells, cysts and tumors, and certain metabolic and inherited diseases. Depending on the cause, an enlarged liver may produce no symptoms or may be associated with abdominal discomfort or fullness, fatigue, jaundice, or signs of the underlying disorder. Hepatomegaly is detected by physical examination and confirmed and characterized with imaging studies such as ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging, often alongside blood tests of liver function. Because it reflects a wide range of possible causes, identifying and treating the underlying condition is central to its management. As a topic within the study of human anatomy and the liver, hepatomegaly connects the structure of an organ to the diseases that alter it. This page gathers peer-reviewed, open-access research relevant to hepatomegaly and disorders of the liver.
3 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.