Hepatomegaly is indicated when the inferior-superior dimension of the liver exceeds how many centimeters?

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Hepatomegaly is judged by the cranio-caudal (inferior–superior) length of the liver measured on imaging, typically along the right midclavicular line. In adults with normal body habitus, this length is normally up to about 15 cm. When the liver’s vertical span exceeds 15 cm, it is considered enlarged. This 15 cm cutoff is the standard threshold used in ultrasound and radiology to define hepatomegaly, balancing what’s normal for most people with the need to detect true enlargement. Values around 12 cm are generally within normal limits, while much larger spans (like 18–20 cm) indicate hepatomegaly as well, but the commonly accepted cut-off to define hepatomegaly is >15 cm.