Round ligament of liver

Round Ligament of Liver

The round ligament of the liver, also known as the ligamentum teres, is a remnant of the fetal umbilical vein. It is a fibrous cord that connects the liver to the anterior abdominal wall.

The Round Ligament of Liver (Ligamentum Teres Hepatis) is a fibrous remnant of the fetal umbilical vein. It is a part of the human anatomy that connects the liver to the anterior abdominal wall.

Anatomy

The round ligament of the liver is found in the free edge of the falciform ligament, a thin, crescent-shaped ligament that separates the right and left lobes of the liver. It extends from the navel to the diaphragm. The round ligament is usually about 3-4 mm in diameter and 10-20 cm long.

Function

In the fetus, the round ligament of the liver carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the growing fetus. After birth, this ligament loses its function as a blood vessel and becomes a fibrous cord.

Clinical Significance

The round ligament of the liver has little clinical significance in adults, but it can be used as a landmark during certain surgical procedures. It can also become enlarged in certain conditions, such as portal hypertension.

See Also

• Liver
• Falciform ligament
• Umbilical vein