Hepatoptosis

Hepatoptosis is a descent of the liver downwards, under the diaphragm, or a descent of the liver downwards with a rotation around its axis, when the liver passes under the costal arch and is no longer fixed by the gastrohepatic ligament. Most often, hepatoptosis occurs in men, due to the accumulation of adipose tissue in the liver, as well as hereditary predisposition. The liver normally turns downward when there is a sharp increase in intra-abdominal pressure, this leads to irritation of the phrenic nerve and subsequent reflex emptying of the gallbladder. Typically most common on the right side.