Round_ligament_of_liver

Round ligament of liver

Round ligament of liver

Attaches the liver to the abdominal wall


The round ligament of the liver, ligamentum teres or ligamentum teres hepatis is a ligament that forms part of the free edge of the falciform ligament of the liver. It connects the liver to the umbilicus. It is the remnant of the left umbilical vein. The round ligament divides the left part of the liver into medial and lateral sections.

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Structure

The round ligament connects the liver to the umbilicus.[1] It divides the left part of the liver into medial and lateral sections.[2][3]

Development

The round ligament of the liver is the remnant of the umbilical vein during embryonic development.[1] It only exists in placental mammals.[4] After the child is born, the umbilical vein degenerates to fibrous tissue.[4]

The left portal vein (which gives branches to paraumbilical veins) is connected to the round ligament (ligamentum teres) and ligamentum venosum.[5]

Clinical significance

Portal hypertension

In adulthood, small paraumbilical veins remain in the substance of the ligament. These act as an important portacaval anastomosis in severe portal hypertension, resulting in a caput medusae.[6][7]

Abscess

Very rarely, the round ligament of the liver may develop an abscess. This usually requires liver surgery to treat.[1]

Landmark

The umbilical vein/round ligament inserts around the umbilicus, and is an important landmark of the inner surface of the anterior abdominal wall.[2]

Additional images

See also


References

  1. Sumida, Wataru; Kawashima, Hiroshi; Ishimaru, Tetsuya; Ihara, Yoshiyuki; Kakihara, Tomo; Kato, Reiko; Hayashi, Kentaro; Aoyama, Tomohiro; Omata, Kanako (2019-05-01). "Abscess of ligamentum teres hepatis". Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports. 44: 101198. doi:10.1016/j.epsc.2019.101198. ISSN 2213-5766.
  2. Standring, Susan (2016). Gray's anatomy: the anatomical basis of clinical practice (41 ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-5230-9. OCLC 920806541.
  3. Moore, Keith L.; Dalley II, Arthur F.; Agur, A.M.R. (2014). Clinically oriented anatomy (7 ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott, Williams, & Wilkins. ISBN 978-1-4511-1945-9. OCLC 813301028.
  4. Garbar, Veronica; Newton, Bruce W. (2020), "Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Falciform Ligament", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 30969680, retrieved 2021-01-24
  5. Ryan, Stephanie (2011). "2". Anatomy for diagnostic imaging (Third ed.). Elsevier Ltd. p. 195. ISBN 9780702029714.
  6. Mostbeck, G. H.; Wittich, G. R.; Herold, C.; Vergesslich, K. A.; Walter, R. M.; Frotz, S.; Sommer, G. (February 1989). "Hemodynamic significance of the paraumbilical vein in portal hypertension: assessment with duplex US". Radiology. 170 (2): 339–342. doi:10.1148/radiology.170.2.2643137. ISSN 0033-8419. PMID 2643137.

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