Pain from the liver is often referred to to which structures?

Pain from the liver is often referred to to which structures?

• A. Pelvis
• B. Fingers
• C. Left knee
• D. Right shoulder and mid-back

Answer: (D)

Pain from the liver is referred to the right shoulder and mid-back because the liver sits beneath the right hemidiaphragm, and irritation of its capsule sends sensory signals via the phrenic nerve to the spinal cord at C3–C5. The brain interprets these signals as coming from areas served by those same levels, especially the shoulder region. That diaphragmatic referral pattern, plus connections to nearby thoracic back areas, explains why liver-related pain can manifest in the right shoulder and mid-back.

Pain from the liver is referred to the right shoulder and mid-back because the liver sits beneath the right hemidiaphragm, and irritation of its capsule sends sensory signals via the phrenic nerve to the spinal cord at C3–C5. The brain interprets these signals as coming from areas served by those same levels, especially the shoulder region. That diaphragmatic referral pattern, plus connections to nearby thoracic back areas, explains why liver-related pain can manifest in the right shoulder and mid-back.