Hepatomegaly describes which condition?

Hepatomegaly refers specifically to the condition of having an enlarged liver. This term is derived from the Greek words "hepar," meaning liver, and "megaly," meaning enlargement. Factors contributing to hepatomegaly can include various liver diseases, metabolic disorders, infections, and congestive heart failure, among others.

An enlarged liver is generally assessed through physical examination or imaging studies like ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI. Identifying hepatomegaly can be critical in diagnosing underlying medical issues, as the size of the liver can often correlate with the severity of liver conditions.

In contrast, the options referring to the enlarged spleen, inflammation of the liver, or malfunction of the liver do not accurately characterize hepatomegaly. Each of these conditions describes different physiological changes or diseases that do not exclusively encompass liver enlargement.