Hepatomegaly is swelling of the liver beyond its normal size.
If both the liver and spleen are enlarged, it is called hepatosplenomegaly.
See also: Splenomegaly
Alternative NamesHepatosplenomegaly; Enlarged liver; Liver enlargement
ConsiderationsThe lower edge of the liver normally comes just to the lower edge of the ribs (costal margin) on the right side. The edge of the liver is normally thin and firm, and it cannot be felt with the finger tips below the edge of the ribs, except when you take a deep breath. It may be considered enlarged if a health care provider can feel it in this area.
Common CausesThe liver is involved in many bodily functions and is affected by a variety of conditions, many of which result in hepatomegaly.
Causes of hepatomegaly may include:
This condition is usually discovered by a health care provider. You may not be aware of the liver or spleen swelling.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe doctor will examine you and ask questions such as:
Tests to determine the cause of the hepatomegaly vary, depending on the suspected cause, but may include:
Bergasa MV. Approach to the patient with liver disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 149.
Hepatomegaly is swelling of the liver beyond its normal size.
If both the liver and spleen are enlarged, it is called hepatosplenomegaly.
See also: Splenomegaly
Alternative NamesHepatosplenomegaly; Enlarged liver; Liver enlargement
ConsiderationsThe lower edge of the liver normally comes just to the lower edge of the ribs on the right side. The edge of the liver is normally thin and firm. It cannot be felt with the fingertips below the edge of the ribs, except when you take a deep breath. It may be enlarged if a health care provider can feel it in this area.
Common CausesThe liver is involved in many of the body's functions. It is affected by many conditions that can cause hepatomegaly, including:
This condition is usually discovered by a health care provider. You may not be aware of the liver or spleen swelling.
What to expect at your health care provider's officeThe doctor will examine you and ask questions such as:
Tests to determine the cause of hepatomegaly vary, depending on the suspected cause, but may include:
Bergasa MV. Approach to the patient with liver disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 149.
Pratt DS. Liver chemistry and function tests. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 73.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/22/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
mild hepatomegaly symptomps and treatment
The cure of hepatomegaly will depend on the cause and the severity of this liver disease. The best solution id medication which is used to reduce the inflammation.
Hepatomegaly in thalassemia occures as aresult of engorgement of hepatic paranchymal and phagocytic cells with hemosiderin deposits.
The word hepatomegaly means the swelling or enlargement of the liver beyond its normal size. Use it in a sentence: "Upon examination there was palpable hepatomegaly." NB palpable means you can feel it. There are a variety of causes of hepatomegaly. These include infection, degeneration and cancer. Hepato- refers to the liver; mega- large
yes
General swelling of the liver.
Prefix: Hepat- Root: -megaly Suffix: -ly
syncope
It means Liver.
liver disease
Hepatomegaly is the condition of having an enlarged liver. It is a nonspecific medical sign having many causes, which can broadly be broken down into infection, direct toxicity, hepatic tumours, or metabolic disorder. Often, hepatomegaly will present as an abdominal mass. Depending on the cause, it may sometimes present along with jaundice.
Hepatosplenomegaly