Right subhepatic space
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
- superiorly: inferior layer of the coronary ligament
- laterally: right lateral abdominal wall
- posteriorly: anterior surface of the superior aspect of right kidney
- inferomedially: hepatic flexure, transverse mesocolon, second part of the duodenum, and pancreatic head
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 . Likewise, the right paracolic gutter also acts as a conduit for pelvic infections to track up into the right subhepatic and subphrenic spaces .