Summary of Hepato-renal recess/ Pouch of Morison

Hepato-renal recess/ Pouch of Morison

Definition:

The hepatorenal recess^[1] (subhepatic recess, pouch of Morison or Morison's pouch) is the space that separates the liver from the right kidney. As a potential space, the recess is not filled with fluid under normal conditions.

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Boundaries :

Anteriorly :

·         inferior surface of right lobe of liver and gall bladder

Posteriorly :

·         right suprarenal gland

·         Upper part of right kidney

·         2^nd part of duodenum

·         Hepatic flexure of colon

·         Transverse mesocolon

Superiorly

·         Inferior layer of coronary ligament

Inferiorly

·         Opens into general peritoneal cavity

Clinical anatomy :

 However, fluid can collect in this space in circumstances where the abdomen fills with fluid, such as mostly ascites and hemo peritoneum. This fluid may be seen on ultrasound or computed tomography (CT scan).

 The intraperitoneal fluid, be it blood, ascites, or dialysis, collects in this space and may be visualized, most commonly via ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scanning. As little as 30 or 40 ml of fluid in the abdominal cavity may be visualized in this space.

Early visualization of fluid in the hepatorenal recess on FAST scan may be an indication for urgent laparotomy