The coronary ligaments represent reflections of the visceral peritoneum covering the liver onto the diaphragm. As such, between the two layers of the coronary ligament

Coronary ligament

The coronary ligament of the liver refers to parts of the peritoneal reflections that hold the liver to the inferior surface of the diaphragm.-Structure:...

 there is a large triangular surface of the liver

Liver

The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...

 devoid of peritoneal covering; this is named the bare area of the liver, and is attached to the diaphragm

Thoracic diaphragm

In the anatomy of mammals, the thoracic diaphragm, or simply the diaphragm , is a sheet of internal skeletal muscle that extends across the bottom of the rib cage. The diaphragm separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and performs an important function in respiration...

 by areolar tissue.

The bare area of the liver is still covered by Glisson's capsule, the fibrous capsule that sheathes the entire liver.

Clinical significance

The bare area of the liver is clinically important because it represents a site where infection can spread from the abdominal cavity

Abdominal cavity

The abdominal cavity is the body cavity of the human body that holds the bulk of the viscera. It is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity. Its dome-shaped roof is the thoracic diaphragm , and its oblique floor is the pelvic inlet...

 to the thoracic cavity

Thoracic cavity

The thoracic cavity is the chamber of the human body that is protected by the thoracic wall ....

.

External links

- "Stomach, Spleen and Liver: Ligaments of the Liver"