Swelling Under the Right Ribs
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Swelling under ribs right side
Swelling in right abdomen below ribs
Area under right rib cage hurts
Bloating under ribs
Painless lump under right rib cage
Tender spot under right rib cage
Painful lump on rib cage right side
Pressure under right rib cage
Nausea
Enlarged liver
Right upper abdomen swelling
Abdominal pain
Possible Causes
Generally, Swelling under the right ribs can be related to:
- Portal Hypertension
A condition observed in advanced liver disease. Liver scarring compresses the blood vessels running through it and reduces their blood flood.
- Malignant Lymphoma
A malignant lymphoma is a cancer that starts in the body's lymphatic system cells and can spread to other body parts. There are dozens of different kinds of lymphomas which are broadly categorized as "Hodgkins Lymphomas" and "Non-Hodgkins Lymphomas" (NHL). The different types are also classified by the cell type the cancer comes from and each different type of lymphoma has its own patterns of spread, treatments, and prognosis The most frequent symptom is swollen lymph nodes. Fevers, night sweats, itchiness, and fatigue can also be seen with lymphomas as can difficulty breathing or abdominal pain. Risk factors include age, family history, a weakened immune system from medications or illness, prior cancer treatments, viral infections such as Epstein-Barr and HIV.
- Liver Cancer
Also known as liver cancer. The most common type is hepatocellular carcinoma. Causes include chronic viral infections, like Hepatitis B and C, excessive alcohol consumption, or fatty liver disease that have caused chronic inflammation and/or cirrhosis.
- Gaucher Disease
- Vasculitis (including Cryoglobulinemia)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency
- Hemangiosarcoma
Related Serious Diseases
Sometimes, Swelling under the right ribs may be related to these serious diseases:
- Myocardial Infarction (MI) / Unstable Angina
These are often grouped together under the term "Acute Coronary Syndrome" (ACS) and are potentially life-threatening. This occurs when a blood vessel supplying the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, and a family history of cardiovascular diseases (e.g., stroke, heart disease).
- Splenic Infarction
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you feel a hard lump in your upper right abdomen?
- How long have you had swelling or hardness under your right ribs?
- How has the liver swelling changed since it started?
Reviewed By:
Samantha Nazareth, MD (Gastroenterology)
Board-certified gastroenterologist. Experience managing gastrointestinal conditions (GERD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, celiac disease, NASH) within healthcare organizations (three ambulatory surgical centers, single-specialty practice, multi-specialty practice and solo practice).
Yoshinori Abe, MD (Internal Medicine)
Dr. Abe graduated from The University of Tokyo School of Medicine in 2015. He completed his residency at the Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Longevity Medical Center. He co-founded Ubie, Inc. in May 2017, where he currently serves as CEO & product owner at Ubie. Since December 2019, he has been a member of the Special Committee for Activation of Research in Emergency AI of the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine. | | Dr. Abe has been elected in the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Healthcare & Science category.
Content updated on Feb 6, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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- Right upper abdominal/tummy region swelling
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- Area under my right ribs feels hard
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FAQs
Q.
What Causes Twitching Under Right Rib Cage But No Pain?
A.
Twitching under the right rib cage without pain is most often caused by small, involuntary muscle contractions, which can be due to things like stress, muscle fatigue, or electrolyte changes.
References:
de Carvalho M, Swash M. Cramps, muscle pain, and fasciculations: not always benign? Neurology. 2004 Aug 24;63(4):721-3. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000134609.56166.15. PMID: 15326252.
Diringer M. Neurologic manifestations of major electrolyte abnormalities. Handb Clin Neurol. 2017;141:705-713. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63599-0.00038-7. PMID: 28190443.
Q.
What Causes Tender Lump Under Right Rib Cage?
A.
A tender lump under the right rib cage can be caused by several things such as a hernia, a benign growth like a lipoma, or, in rare cases, a tumor.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6888/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6888/
Lichon S, Khachemoune A. Clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and treatment of hand lipomas: a review. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2018 Sep;27(3):137-139. PMID: 30244263.
Yang E, Li T, Katz A. A giant cell tumor of the bone in the rib cage left to proliferate unfettered for seven years to an extensive size. Respir Med Case Rep. 2021 May 1;33:101419. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101419. PMID: 34401267; PMCID: PMC8348908.
Q.
What Causes Painless Lump on the Right Side of Rib Cage?
A.
A painless lump on the right side of the rib cage can be due to a variety of causes including fatty growths, lymph nodes, or cysts.
References:
Lichon S, Khachemoune A. Clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and treatment of hand lipomas: a review. Acta Dermatovenerol Alp Pannonica Adriat. 2018 Sep;27(3):137-139. PMID: 30244263.
Abe H, Kamimura K. Basics, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Liver Tumor. J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 9;12(2):524. doi: 10.3390/jcm12020524. PMID: 36675453; PMCID: PMC9861884.
Freeman AM, Matto P. Lymphadenopathy. [Updated 2023 Feb 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Q.
Why Am I Having Uncomfortable Feeling Under Right Rib Cage?
A.
An uncomfortable feeling under your right rib cage can be due to digestive issues like acid reflux or indigestion, or even from muscle tension influenced by stress.
References:
Gerson LB. Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease during pregnancy. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2012 Nov;8(11):763-4. PMID: 24672414; PMCID: PMC3966174.
Crofford LJ. Psychological aspects of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2015 Feb;29(1):147-55. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2015.04.027. Epub 2015 May 21. PMID: 26267008; PMCID: PMC5061342.
Madisch A, Andresen V, Enck P, Labenz J, Frieling T, Schemann M. The Diagnosis and Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2018 Mar 30;115(13):222-232. doi: 10.3238/arztebl.2018.0222. PMID: 29669681; PMCID: PMC5938438.
Q.
What Does It Mean When Females Have Sharp Pain Under Right Rib Cage?
A.
In females, sharp pain under the right rib cage can have many causes—from common issues like acid reflux or muscle strain to rarer, more serious conditions such as heart problems or a lung clot.
References:
Ali RA, Egan LJ. Gastroesophageal reflux disease in pregnancy. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2007;21(5):793-806. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2007.05.006. PMID: 17889808.
El-Menyar A, Al-Thani H, Mekkodathil A, et al. Atypical presentation of acute coronary syndrome: A significant independent predictor of in-hospital mortality. _J Cardiol_. 2011;57(2):165-170. doi:10.1016/j.jjcc.2010.10.001.
Kesikburun S, Güzelküçük Ü, Fidan U, Demir Y, Ergün A, Tan AK. Musculoskeletal pain and symptoms in pregnancy: a descriptive study. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2018 Nov 19;10(12):229-234. doi: 10.1177/1759720X18812449. PMID: 30515249; PMCID: PMC6262502.
Morrone D, Morrone V. Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Focus on the Clinical Picture. Korean Circ J. 2018 May;48(5):365-381. doi: 10.4070/kcj.2017.0314. Erratum in: Korean Circ J. 2018 Jul;48(7):661-663. doi: 10.4070/kcj.2017.0998. PMID: 29737640; PMCID: PMC5940642.
Q.
Why Do I Feel Pressure Under Right Rib Cage ?
A.
You might feel pressure under your right rib cage because of any number of reasons including muscle strain, acid reflux, or liver/gallbladder issues.
References:
Kesikburun S, Güzelküçük Ü, Fidan U, Demir Y, Ergün A, Tan AK. Musculoskeletal pain and symptoms in pregnancy: a descriptive study. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2018 Nov 19;10(12):229-234. doi: 10.1177/1759720X18812449. PMID: 30515249; PMCID: PMC6262502.
Gerson LB. Treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease during pregnancy. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2012 Nov;8(11):763-4. PMID: 24672414; PMCID: PMC3966174.
Sharma A, Nagalli S. Chronic Liver Disease. [Updated 2023 Jul 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Q.
What Organ Is There Under Right Rib Cage?
A.
The main organ under the right rib cage is the liver, which helps clean your blood and makes bile for digesting food.
References:
Xuefeng X, Park JY (2016) Hepatic Functions and its Disorders. J Liver 5: e111. doi:10.4172/2167-0889.1000e111.
Jones MW, Small K, Kashyap S, et al. Physiology, Gallbladder. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Shahid Z, Burns B. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Diaphragm. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Chaudhry R, Omole AE, Bordoni B. Anatomy, Thorax, Lungs. [Updated 2024 Apr 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Q.
Is It Common to Have Pain Under Right Rib Cage When Pregnant?
A.
Yes, it is common for pregnant women to experience pain under the right rib cage due to hormones which can lead to acid reflux and musculoskeletal changes during pregnancy.
References:
Ali RA, Egan LJ. Gastroesophageal reflux disease in pregnancy. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2007;21(5):793-806. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2007.05.006. PMID: 17889808.
Kesikburun S, Güzelküçük Ü, Fidan U, Demir Y, Ergün A, Tan AK. Musculoskeletal pain and symptoms in pregnancy: a descriptive study. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 2018 Nov 19;10(12):229-234. doi: 10.1177/1759720X18812449. PMID: 30515249; PMCID: PMC6262502.
Q.
What Causes Muscle Spasm Under Right Rib Cage?
A.
A muscle spasm under the right rib cage is usually caused by your muscles contracting suddenly due to issues like injury, muscle fatigue, or electrolyte imbalances.
References:
Diringer M. Neurologic manifestations of major electrolyte abnormalities. Handb Clin Neurol. 2017;141:705-713. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63599-0.00038-7. PMID: 28190443.
Bordoni B, Sugumar K, Varacallo MA. Muscle Cramps. [Updated 2023 Aug 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
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