The liver is wrapped in a thin connective tissue layer (Glisson capsule) beneath its peritoneal covering. At the porta hepatis the capsule follows the vessels and bile ducts into the liver, wrapping them as they branch.
| Location | Surface of the liver, beneath the visceral peritoneum, continuing into the liver at the porta hepatis |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Lower intercostal nerves (via peritoneum and capsule); Phrenic nerve fibres |
| Blood Supply | Hepatic artery branches |
| Venous drainage | |
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Gives the liver shape and strength and supports the vessels and ducts inside it.
Stretching of the capsule by a swollen liver (heart failure, hepatitis) causes dull right upper abdominal pain. Blood can collect under the capsule after trauma or in HELLP syndrome of pregnancy, and rupture causes major bleeding. In Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome the capsule becomes inflamed by pelvic infection.
Bleeding beneath the liver capsule from trauma or pregnancy complications.
Inflammation of the liver capsule from pelvic chlamydial or gonococcal infection.
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