Round ligament of liver
Round Ligament of Liver[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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.
