Glisson’s Capsule

Other Known Aliases – None

Definition – Outer capsule of connective fibrous tissue, surrounding the liver, the intrahepatic branches of the portal vein, hepatic arteries, and bile duct

Clinical Significance – The is a structure that must be dissected while operating on the liver.  In trauma, you can have subcapsular hematomas from hemorrhage that are contained by Glisson’s capsule.

History – Named after Francis Glisson (1597-1667), who was an English physician, anatomist, and pathologist.  His work on the liver in the late 1600s produced the foremost textbook on the digestive system, The Anatomia Hepatis, where he first described the covering of the liver in detail.

References

1. Firkin BG and Whitwirth JA.  Dictionary of Medical Eponyms. 2nd ed.  New York, NY; Parthenon Publishing Group. 1996.
2. Bartolucci S, Forbis P.  Stedman’s Medical Eponyms.  2nd ed.  Baltimore, MD; LWW.  2005.
3. Yee AJ, Pfiffner P. (2012).  Medical Eponyms (Version 1.4.2) [Mobile Application Software].  Retrieved http://itunes.apple.com.
4. Whonamedit – dictionary of medical eponyms. http://www.whonamedit.com/
5. Haubrich WS. Glisson of Glisson’s capsule of the liver. Gastroenterology. 2001; 120(6):1362. [pubmed]