Can you feel your liver from the outside?

Normally you cannot feel your liver from the outside because it is hidden under the rib cage. If you can actually feel a hard mass there with your fingers, don't waste time on forums—book an appointment with a doctor today.

Feeling any sort of hard mass or swelling under your right ribs from the outside is a major concern. Please do not press it repeatedly; instead, visit a physician immediately to get a proper physical palpation done safely.

Honestly, with my sleep schedule, I can barely feel my own brain, let alone my liver from the outside! But jokes aside, you shouldn't be able to touch it unless it's enlarged, so don't poke around too hard.

If you suspect your liver is swollen and palpable, a standard doctor's physical exam is very cheap or even free at government hospitals. They might recommend an ultrasound which costs around 800-1500 rupees, which is highly worth planning for.

Please don't worry too much. For most healthy people, the liver is completely hidden under the ribs, so not being able to feel it is actually a good sign.

My physician explained that only a trained doctor can feel the edge of the liver during deep inspiration, and that too if it's slightly enlarged (hepatomegaly). Trying to self-diagnose by pressing your own abdomen can be misleading and cause unnecessary anxiety.