Right subhepatic space

Last revised by Sonam Vadera on 29 Nov 2022

The right subhepatic space, or hepatorenal pouch, lies between the upper pole of the right kidney and the inferior surface of the right lobe of the liver.

Gross anatomy

This is a subcompartment of the right supramesocolic space. The space can be further subdivided in to two other spaces by its relation to the transverse mesocolon:

Boundaries
Communications

Anatomically it communicates with the right subphrenic space and right paracolic gutter. It also communicates with the lesser sac via the epiploic foramen.

Related pathology

Intraperitoneal seeding of pelvic malignancies, particularly ovarian cancers, can occur in the right subhepatic and subphrenic spaces by transcoelomic spread up through the right paracolic gutter 1. Likewise, the right paracolic gutter also acts as a conduit for pelvic infections to track up into the right subhepatic and subphrenic spaces 2.

See also

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