Ultrasound of the liver: norm, decoding. Dimensions of the liver: normal in an adult

The liver is the parenchymal organ and the largest gland of the body. Diagnosis of liver diseases requires the use of both laboratory and instrumental methods of examination. One of the most informative methods is ultrasound of the liver. The norm, the interpretation of the indicators are the subject of this article.

Structure and structure of the liver

The liver is the largest laboratory of the human body, where there is processing and synthesis of a large number of substances. It consists of 4 parts. The two largest - right and left, are the largest and well visualized by ultrasound. The other two - square and tail, are much smaller and do not have a significant diagnostic value during the examination. Externally, the liver is covered with a glisson capsule, which reacts with an increase in the size of the gland.

Functional and structural unit is the hepatic lobule, which consists of several hepatocytes, small veins, arteries and an excretory bile duct. Hepatocyte is a specialized cell in which synthetic and metabolic processes occur.

Vascular system of the liver

Blood supply to the liver is performed by the hepatic arteries. The outflow of blood is provided by the portal vein, which is a large reservoir that collects blood from the unpaired organs of the abdominal cavity. The liver filters this blood mass and transfers it to the inferior vena cava. Most of the liver synthesizes bile, which flows along the small bile capillaries into the right and left common hepatic ducts, and then through the common bile duct into the duodenum. To fully study and study the structure of these formations allows ultrasound of the liver. Norm, interpretation of the survey allows you to conduct differential diagnosis with other diseases of the gland and surrounding organs.

Functions of the liver

One of the most important is the detoxification function. The unique structure of the liver lobule and the structure of the venous system, which forms sinusoids, provides for the delay and neutralization of metabolic products and under-oxidized compounds in the parenchyma of the gland with subsequent removal of the latter. The excretory role of the liver lies in the synthesis of bile, which is a solution of bile and fatty acids and some trace elements. Synthetic function of the gland consists in the formation of virtually all protein fractions of blood and certain specific substances (lipoproteins, clotting factors, enzymes).

Bile has a detergent function and stimulates intestinal peristalsis. The digestive role is also provided by bile, which promotes the emulsification of fats and improves the digestion of the latter by pancreatic lipase. The protective role of the largest gland of the body involves the synthesis of protective immunoglobulins and some components of the complement system. The fetus and the newborn have the liver as the hematopoiesis. The size of the liver depends on the proper functioning and functioning of the organ. The norm in an adult is a relatively constant value and can differ in the range of 1-4 cm.

The essence of ultrasound examination

Ultrasound is a widely available, relatively cheap and painless method of examining internal organs.

Ultrasound has the ability to reflect from internal organs and thus change the length and frequency of the wave. These changes fix the sensor of the ultrasound machine and send it to the control unit, where the processing and image formation on the monitor is carried out. In this case, the sensor acts simultaneously as an ultrasonic wave generator.

One of the most accessible organs for inspection is the liver. The dimensions of the ultrasound transducer and its resolution allow us to examine the organ from different sides and study the homogeneity of its structure. In addition, the largest body gland has in its composition heterogeneous structures (vessels, bile ducts).

When an ultrasound examination of the liver is performed

First of all, the ultrasound examination room should be visited by persons who undergo a medical examination. This technique allows you to see some dangerous diseases in the early stages of development and conduct appropriate treatment. Patients to whom the doctor diagnosed "liver abscess" or "viral hepatitis" are obligatory clients of the ultrasound study. Traumatic damage to the abdominal organs, suspected neoplasm or changes in laboratory tests (especially liver samples) is the basis for ultrasound examination of the liver.

A gynecologist sometimes requires ultrasound to select the optimal method of hormonal contraception and virtually all malignant neoplasms of the woman's reproductive system. Patients suffering from alcoholism or already having cirrhosis of the liver should periodically examine this organ on an ultrasound machine. If you periodically notice cutting pain in the right hypochondrium and lack of appetite, you should also make a liver ultrasound . Norm, the interpretation of the result in the vast majority of cases allow you to immediately put the correct diagnosis.

How to prepare for ultrasound of the liver

The preparatory stage is an important point before the examination. It is aimed at creating conditions for better visualization of abdominal organs, including the liver. The patient should come to the examination on an empty stomach, and the last meal should be at least 8 hours before the test. It is not recommended to consume products that cause the formation of gases in the intestines (milk and bean products) for a day or two before ultrasound diagnosis. In addition, if a person has such a tendency, he should take 3-4 tablets of black coal in the evening before the examination. Also, the doctor can recommend one or two cleansing enemas.

Liver ultrasound: indicators

The ultrasound diagnostics doctor applies a special gel to the abdominal skin, which improves the sensor's contact with the skin and ensures the formation of the optimal picture.

First of all, the structure is evaluated. It is normally homogeneous. The edge of the liver should be even. After this, they start measuring the sizes of the right and left lobes of the gland. For them, the thickness and sagittal size are measured. Normally, for a right lobe, the thickness should be 11.2-12.6 cm, and the sagittal size - up to 15 cm. The left share is smaller, so its thickness in normal conditions averages 7 cm, and the sagittal distance - up to 10 cm. The ultrasound machine can easily determine the total size of the liver. The norm in an adult varies between 14 and 18 cm in length and 20-23 cm in width.

Further, the parenchyma of the gland is analyzed for the presence of nodes, seals and calcifications that form changes in the echo signal. By strengthening or weakening the ultrasound wave, the physician can recognize a fluid or dense formation. Sometimes in the middle of a liquid formation, a shadow can form, indicating a parasitic cyst.

Non-uniform structures include arteries, veins and bile ducts. The transverse size of the portal vein should not exceed 13 mm, and the lower hollow vein has a diameter of 10 to 15 mm. The hepatic veins that flow into the hollow vein have a diameter of 6 to 10 millimeters. The hepatic artery is evaluated in the region of the liver gates, where its thickness is from 4 to 7 mm. An outflow of bile occurs along the common bile duct. Normally its diameter should be from 6 to 8 millimeters.

Contraindications for examination

Ultrasound diagnosis in adults has no contraindications. In case the patient is not prepared or did not properly perform the preparations for the examination, his reception in the ultrasound room should be postponed. This will allow a better ultrasound of the liver. Norm, the interpretation of the result allows you to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Estimated price

If you are periodically disturbed by pain in the right hypochondrium, nausea, a feeling of bitterness in your mouth, then you should hold a liver ultrasound. The price is democratic compared to other instrumental methods and ranges from 700 to 1,400 rubles.