Which term denotes enlargement of both the liver and spleen?

• A. Hepatomegaly
• B. Splenomegaly
• C. Hepatopathy
• D. Hepatosplenomegaly

Answer: (D)

When both the liver and spleen are enlarged, the term used is hepatosplenomegaly. This word is built from hepat/o for liver, splen/o for spleen, and -megaly meaning enlargement, so it precisely communicates enlargement of both organs at once.

This contrasts with hepatomegaly, which means the liver is enlarged alone, and splenomegaly, which means the spleen is enlarged alone. Hepatopathy refers to liver disease in general, not specifically to enlargement. In practice, hepatosplenomegaly can be seen in a variety of conditions that affect both organs or the portal system, such as infections, certain blood disorders, liver diseases with congestion, and metabolic storage diseases. When documenting, you’d typically note hepatosplenomegaly (often abbreviated HSM) to indicate this combined finding.