Are liver inferior marginal angles normally sharp on ultrasonography (ultrasound)?

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Last updated: February 19, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

No, the liver's inferior marginal angles are normally blunt, not sharp, on ultrasound [ 1 ]. Sharp angles may indicate liver pathology, such as cirrhosis or metastasis, and warrant further evaluation. In a normal liver, the inferior margin is typically smooth and rounded.

Key Points

  • The liver's inferior margin is usually visualized using a subcostal or intercostal approach [ 1 ].
  • The liver margin should be maintained within the field of view on the screen [ 1 ].
  • A combination of subcostal and intercostal windows may be necessary to visualize the liver and surrounding structures [ 1 ].
  • The appearance of the liver's inferior marginal angles can be an important indicator of liver health, with sharp angles potentially indicating underlying pathology [ 1 ].

From the Research

Liver Inferior Marginal Angles on Ultrasonography

  • The provided studies do not directly address the sharpness of liver inferior marginal angles on ultrasonography 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
  • However, the studies discuss the use of ultrasonography in evaluating liver morphology and function 2, 5, 6.
  • One study notes that ultrasonography can be used to evaluate liver segments and anatomy 5, but it does not specifically mention the inferior marginal angles.
  • Another study discusses the agreement between clinical measurements of liver size and ultrasound findings 4, but it does not address the sharpness of liver inferior marginal angles.
  • Overall, there is limited information available on the sharpness of liver inferior marginal angles on ultrasonography based on the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Is the undeniably palpable liver ever 'normal'?

Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, 1983

Research

Stepwise evaluation of liver sectors and liver segments by endoscopic ultrasound.

World journal of gastrointestinal endoscopy, 2018

Research

Endoscopic ultrasound description of liver segmentation and anatomy.

Digestive endoscopy : official journal of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society, 2014

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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