Assessing liver span is a crucial component of a physical examination to evaluate liver size and detect potential abnormalities. It involves measuring the distance between the upper and lower borders of the liver.
Checking liver span is essential for several reasons. Firstly, an enlarged liver, also known as hepatomegaly, can indicate underlying liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or tumors. Conversely, a reduced liver span may suggest conditions like liver atrophy or scarring.