cranial displacement
- congenital and acquired (trauma) displacement associated with ventral and diaphragmatic hernias
- results in herniation of the liver into the thoracic cavity
- usually only one lobe enters thorax with other viscera
- blood supply may not be interrupted but may be severely congested and rupture
- may become hardened over time
caudal displacement
- more common
- liver will be displaced behind the costal arch
- due to organ enlargement or caudal displacement of the diaphragm
NB: the diaphragm may be displaced because of pleural effusion or other space occupying lesion in the thorax