Liver surface depressions in the presence of diaphragmatic muscular bands on trans-illumination

Figure 1 Anatomic specimen of a human liver with conventional surface anatomy. Both right (R) and left (L) hemi-livers have a smooth, convex surface in contact with the diaphragm.

Figure 2 Anatomic specimen of a human liver with variant surface anatomy. Multiple surface depressions (arrows) are demonstrated on the diaphragmatic surface of liver.

Figure 3 Our technique for observation by trans-illumination. A light source is applied to the thoracic surface of the diaphragm, allowing hypertrophic muscular bands to be identified (arrow).

Figure 4 The trans-illumination technique allows hypertrophic muscular bands to be demonstrated (white arrows) in the diaphragm corresponding to surface depressions on the liver (yellow arrows).

Figure 5 The thickness of the diaphragm is greater (white arrow) adjacent to the surface grooves (yellow arrow), and becomes thin at the smooth liver surface (red arrow).

Figure 6 Magnetic resonance imaging of a patient’s abdomen. There is a deep surface depression in the right hemi-liver (white arrow) and thickened diaphragmatic band (red arrow) can be seen intimately related to the depression.