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    From Digestive System

    Splenic Flexure
    Bend between transverse and descending colon.
    Quadrate Lobe
    Small lobe located between gallbladder and round ligament.
    Transverse Colon
    Horizontal part of the colon.
    Mesentery
    Fold of peritoneum anchoring intestines.
    Pylorus
    Distal part of stomach leading to duodenum.
    Common Hepatic Duct
    Carries bile from liver to bile duct.
    Sublingual Glands
    Salivary glands beneath the tongue.
    Tongue
    Muscular organ aiding in taste, speech, and food manipulation.
    Ileum
    Final and longest portion of the small intestine.
    Major Duodenal Papilla
    Opening for bile and pancreatic ducts into duodenum.
    Body of Pancreas
    Central elongated portion of pancreas.
    Parotid Glands
    Largest salivary glands located near the ear.
    Gallbladder
    Stores and concentrates bile.
    Pancreas
    Gland with both endocrine and exocrine functions.
    Hepatic Flexure
    Bend between ascending and transverse colon.
    Ileocecal Valve
    Controls flow from ileum to cecum.
    Tail of Pancreas
    Tapered end of pancreas near spleen.
    Cecum
    First part of large intestine.
    Abdominal Cavity
    The abdominal cavity is the largest body cavity, housing vital digestive and excretory organs, lined by the peritoneum and essential for protection, metabolism, and organ movement.
    Common Bile Duct
    Conveys bile from liver and gallbladder to duodenum.
    Duodenum
    First portion of the small intestine.
    Caudate Lobe
    Lobe of liver near inferior vena cava.
    Round Ligament of Liver
    Remnant of fetal umbilical vein.
    External Anal Sphincter
    Voluntary muscle around anus.
    Lower Esophageal Sphincter
    Muscle at the junction of esophagus and stomach.

    Ligamentum Venosum

    Reviewed by our medical team

    Remnant of ductus venosus in liver.

    Overview

    The ligamentum venosum is a fibrous remnant of the fetal ductus venosus, a vascular shunt that once allowed oxygenated blood from the placenta to bypass the fetal liver. After birth, the ductus venosus closes and becomes the ligamentum venosum. Though non-functional in adults, it is an important anatomical landmark within the liver and is closely associated with the hepatic vasculature.

    Location

    The ligamentum venosum is located in the posterior part of the liver, specifically:

    • Within the fissure between the left lobe and the caudate lobe of the liver

    • Runs from the left branch of the portal vein at the porta hepatis upward to the inferior vena cava (IVC)

    • Occupies the ligamentum venosum fissure on the visceral surface of the liver

    It is deep to the peritoneum and part of the division between functional lobes of the liver based on Couinaud’s classification.

    Structure

    The ligamentum venosum is a:

    • Fibrous cord approximately 3–5 cm in length in adults

    • Vestigial structure: It is the obliterated ductus venosus, composed of dense connective tissue

    • Non-patent: It is non-functional after birth and contains no active blood flow

    It lies anterior to the caudate lobe and posterior to the left hepatic vein and left lobe of the liver.

    Function

    In adults, the ligamentum venosum has no functional role, as it is a fibrous remnant. However, in fetal life, its precursor—the ductus venosus—had a vital circulatory function:

    • Bypassed hepatic circulation: Allowed oxygen-rich blood from the umbilical vein to flow directly into the inferior vena cava, bypassing the liver

    • Maintained oxygen delivery: Helped shunt blood toward the heart and brain during fetal development

    Physiological Role(s)

    While physiologically inactive in adults, the ligamentum venosum has secondary roles:

    • Surgical and anatomical landmark: Helps demarcate the separation between the left and caudate lobes of the liver

    • Reference in Couinaud's classification: Marks the left boundary of segment I (caudate lobe) and aids in liver segmental resections

    • Structural support: May provide minimal anchoring of adjacent hepatic tissue or vasculature due to its fibrous nature

    Clinical Significance

    The ligamentum venosum holds significance in various clinical and surgical contexts:

    • Liver segmentation: A key landmark in imaging and hepatic surgeries, especially in anatomical liver resection

    • Radiological landmark: Visualized on CT or MRI to help identify caudate lobe, left hepatic vein, and fissural anatomy

    • Persistent ductus venosus (rare): In neonates, failure of the ductus venosus to close can lead to abnormal shunting and hepatic dysfunction

    • Transplantation planning: Used to distinguish left and right lobes and guide hepatic artery and portal vein dissection

    • Portal hypertension diagnostics: May serve as a reference point in imaging when evaluating abnormal collateral circulation or varices

    While the ligamentum venosum itself does not cause disease, its location and historical function make it relevant in hepatobiliary imaging, embryology, and surgical anatomy.

    Did you know? Food can be completely digested within 6 hours in the stomach and intestines.