Liver ligament

Liver Ligament

The liver ligament is a term that refers to several ligaments within the human body that are associated with the liver. These ligaments play a crucial role in maintaining the position of the liver within the abdominal cavity and providing a pathway for structures such as blood vessels and bile ducts.

Anatomy

The liver is connected to the anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm by several ligaments. These include:

• Falciform Ligament: This thin, crescent-shaped ligament extends from the front of the liver to the anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm. It contains the round ligament of the liver, a fibrous remnant of the fetal umbilical vein.

• Coronary Ligament: This is a large, triangular ligament that connects the liver to the diaphragm. It is divided into left and right sections.

• Triangular Ligaments: These are the extreme ends of the coronary ligament. There is a left triangular ligament and a right triangular ligament.

• Hepatoduodenal Ligament: This is a part of the lesser omentum, a double layer of peritoneum that extends from the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach and the beginning of the duodenum. It contains the portal vein, hepatic artery, and common bile duct.

Function

The liver ligaments help to stabilize the liver within the abdominal cavity, preventing it from moving around during bodily movements. They also provide a pathway for structures such as blood vessels and bile ducts, allowing for the transport of blood and bile to and from the liver.

Clinical Significance

Damage to the liver ligaments can occur due to trauma, surgery, or disease. This can lead to complications such as liver displacement, impaired blood flow, and bile leakage.

See Also

• Liver
• Abdominal cavity
• Peritoneum