What is the subphrenic space?

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The subphrenic spaces are the peritoneal recesses located directly beneath the diaphragms, adjacent to the liver on the right and to the stomach/spleen on the left. They are bounded above by the diaphragmatic surfaces and below by the visceral surfaces of the liver (and spleen on the left). This means the space is between the liver or spleen and the diaphragm. Fluid or pus can collect there after trauma or infection, which is why these areas matter in ultrasound. Other spaces described don’t fit this location: the area between stomach and liver isn’t the subphrenic recess, the space behind the pancreas is retroperitoneal, and the space above the diaphragm would be the pleural region, not the subphrenic space.