[Experimental studies of the historheology of the liver capsule (author's transl)]

We have performed histomechanical experiments with historheological methods on the liver capsule of men and cattle. The liver capsule is a non linear viscoelastic tissue. The force-extension diagram or the force-time curve under increase in length shows a flat initial part with a large strain reserve, then an arched domain and subsequently a steep increase in force with a coordination of a small increase in length. The hysteresis loop is represented. When the tissue is in a viscoelastic steady state (preconditioned), the force-extension curves respectively the force-time curves are identical one with another and under certain presuppositions reproducible. This is also the case with the static relaxation curve and the force recovery curve (inverse relaxation). With a ramp shaped extension time input function and an additional, superimposed sinus length-time input function we can observe the following dynamical force-time output functions: Non linear dynamical force increase, amplitude increment phenomenon, dynamical force recovery (dynamical inverse relaxation). Various dynamical-statical transients are demonstrated in diagrams. The mechanical properties of the liver capsule are interacting with the ligaments of the liver, with the intrahepatic connective tissue, and with the liver parenchyma. Aspects of the functional anatomy and the tension of the capsule in an acute increase of he liver parenchyma are discussed.