Posterior right subhepatic space
The posterior right subhepatic space (also known as the hepatorenal fossa or Morison's pouch) separates the liver from the right kidney. It is a potential space that is not filled with any fluid in normal conditions.
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Gross anatomy
Posterior right subhepatic space is a subcompartment of the supramesocolic space and is separated from the anterior right subhepatic space by the transverse mesocolon.
Boundaries
The recess is bounded:
- anterior: right lobe of the liver and gallbladder
- posterior: superior aspect right kidney; right adrenal gland; second part of the duodenum; hepatic flexure; pancreatic head
- inferior: transverse mesocolon
Communications
The posterior right subhepatic space communicates with the right subphrenic space and right paracolic gutter. The subhepatic space communicates with the lesser sac via the foramen of Winslow.
History and etymology
Named by James Rutherford Morison (1843-1939), British surgeon 4.
Related pathology
Fluid (e.g. ascites or haemoperitoneum) accumulates here as it is the lowest dependent spaces of the peritoneal cavity from a wide range of causes. It is also a preferential site for metastases and abscesses.
Related articles
Abdominal and pelvic anatomy
- skeleton of the abdomen and pelvis
- muscles of the abdomen and pelvis
- spaces of the abdomen and pelvis
- anterior abdominal wall
- posterior abdominal wall
-
abdominal cavity
-
peritoneum
- peritoneal ligaments
- mesentery
- peritoneal spaces
- inguinal canal (mnemonic)
- Hesselbach triangle
- scrotal sac
- retroperitoneum
-
peritoneum
- pelvic cavity
- perineum
- abdominal and pelvic viscera
- gastrointestinal tract
- spleen
- hepatobiliary system
-
endocrine system
-
adrenal gland
- adrenal vessels
- chromaffin cells
- variants
- pancreas
- organs of Zuckerkandl
-
adrenal gland
-
urinary system
-
kidney
- renal pelvis
- renal sinus
- avascular plane of Brodel
-
variants
- number
- fusion
- location
- shape
- ureter
- urinary bladder
- urethra
- embryology
-
kidney
- male reproductive system
-
female reproductive system
- Mullerian duct
- vagina
- uterus
- uterine tubes
- ovaries
- variant anatomy
- blood supply of the abdomen and pelvis
- arteries
-
abdominal aorta
- inferior phrenic artery
- coeliac artery
- superior mesenteric artery
- middle suprarenal artery
- renal artery (variant anatomy)
- gonadal artery (ovarian artery | testicular artery)
- inferior mesenteric artery
- lumbar arteries
- median sacral artery
-
common iliac artery
- external iliac artery
-
internal iliac artery (mnemonic)
- anterior division
- posterior division (mnemonic)
- variant anatomy
-
abdominal aorta
- portal venous system
- veins
- anastomoses
- arterio-arterial anastomoses
- portal-systemic venous collateral pathways
- watershed areas
- arteries
- lymphatics
- innervation of the abdomen and pelvis
- lumbar plexus
-
sacral plexus
- lumbosacral trunk
- sciatic nerve
- superior gluteal nerve
- inferior gluteal nerve
- nerve to piriformis
- perforating cutaneous nerve
- posterior femoral cutaneous nerve
- parasympathetic pelvic splanchnic nerves
- pudendal nerve
- nerve to quadratus femoris and inferior gemellus
- nerve to internal obturator and superior gemellus
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