The liver is the largest internal organ, located primarily in the upper right quadrant of the abdominal cavity, securely tucked beneath the lower ribs. It is generally not possible to feel the liver moving independently within the abdomen because its location provides substantial protection, and the organ is not designed for free movement. While the typical answer is no, many people experience sensations in this area that feel like internal shifting or pulsing. These feelings are usually attributable to surrounding anatomical structures or normal physiological processes occurring nearby.
The Liver’s Anatomical Restraints
The liver is held in a fixed position by a network of specialized fibrous tissues known as ligaments, which anchor it to the diaphragm and the abdominal wall. For example, the falciform ligament connects the anterior surface of the liver to the front wall of the abdomen. The coronary and triangular ligaments secure the upper surface of the liver directly to the underside of the diaphragm.
These ligaments, combined with the pressure from neighboring organs, severely restrict the liver’s ability to shift freely. The rib cage also acts as a bony shield, entirely covering the organ in a healthy adult. This structural arrangement prevents any significant, conscious sensation of the liver moving.
Normal Abdominal Sensations
The movement people most often sense near the liver is actually the action of the primary breathing muscle, the diaphragm. The liver sits directly below the diaphragm and is physically linked to it by ligaments. During inhalation, the diaphragm contracts and flattens, pushing downward on the abdominal contents, including the liver.
This downward press causes the liver to descend by a few centimeters, a process necessary for respiration. When you exhale, the diaphragm relaxes and moves back up, allowing the liver to return to its resting position. This rhythmic vertical displacement, which can be felt with deep breathing, is the closest sensation to “liver movement” but is primarily the feeling of the diaphragm working.
Misidentifying Internal Movement
Sensations of shifting or movement in the upper right abdomen are frequently caused by activity in other organs located nearby. The digestive tract’s muscle contractions, known as peristalsis, can sometimes be felt as gas or contents move through the colon. Since a portion of the large intestine passes through the upper right quadrant, these movements may be mistakenly attributed to the liver.
Another common feeling is a rhythmic pulsing, which is often the abdominal aorta, the body’s largest artery, located deep within the abdomen. This vessel runs close to the area and its strong pulse can be easily felt, especially in thin individuals. Muscle twitches or spasms in the abdominal wall muscles protecting the liver can also create a sensation of internal movement, which are often interpreted as an internal organ shifting.
Conditions That Make the Liver Palpable
There are specific medical circumstances when the liver can be felt below the protective boundary of the ribs, a condition known as hepatomegaly, or liver enlargement. Hepatomegaly can occur due to various underlying issues, such as fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, or chronic heart failure. When the liver swells, it expands downward, pushing its lower edge below the costal margin where it can be detected by touch.
This enlargement can cause a feeling of fullness, discomfort, or a palpable mass in the upper right abdomen. In rare cases, some people have an anatomical variation called Riedel’s lobe, where a projection of the right lobe extends downward, making the liver palpable even without disease. If you feel a persistent or painful lump, mass, or unexplained movement in this area, a medical evaluation is warranted to rule out any serious underlying condition.