Ligamentum teres

This structure is a round ligament of the liver that plays a role in supporting the organ.

The ligamentum teres, also known as the round ligament of the liver, is a fibrous cord that extends from the umbilicus to the liver. It is a remnant of the obliterated umbilical vein, which carried oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus during development. In adults, it serves as an important anatomical landmark within the liver's structure.

Terminologia Anatomica

ligamentum-teres

System

Digestive system

Function

The primary function of the ligamentum teres is to act as a supportive structure for the liver, anchoring it to the umbilical region. Although it does not have a significant functional role in adults, understanding its presence is crucial in surgical procedures involving the liver and can provide insight into the anatomy of the fetal circulatory system. Its existence also signifies the transformation that occurs from fetal to adult anatomy, illustrating how certain structures may diminish in function or become vestigial after birth. Additionally, the ligamentum teres helps in maintaining the position of the liver within the abdominal cavity, playing a minor role in the structural integrity of the organ as it interfaces with adjacent tissues and structures.

Location

Located on the anterior surface of the liver, the ligamentum teres runs in a free margin along the falciform ligament, which connects the liver to the anterior abdominal wall. It is found in the peritoneum, and as it extends toward the umbilicus, it can be palpated in certain medical evaluations of the abdominal region. The ligamentum teres helps to delineate the left lobe from other lobes of the liver and serves as an important reference point for both anatomical studies and surgical interventions.

Did You Know?

In embryonic life, the ligamentum teres was part of the umbilical vein that supplied fresh, oxygenated blood to the developing fetus.
The ligamentum teres is sometimes mistakenly considered a significant anatomical structure for liver function, but in adults, it mainly serves as an anatomical landmark.
The falciform ligament, which houses the ligamentum teres, is one of the few ligaments in the body that connects two organs rather than securing one organ to an adjacent structure.