human anatomy The human body is the structure of a human being. It is composed of many different types of cells that together create tissues and subsequently organ systems. They ensure homeostasis and the viability of the human body. It comprises a he ...

, the falciform ligament () is a

ligament A ligament is the fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones. It is also known as ''articular ligament'', ''articular larua'', ''fibrous ligament'', or ''true ligament''. Other ligaments in the body include the: * Peritoneal li ...

that attaches the

liver The liver is a major Organ (anatomy), organ only found in vertebrates which performs many essential biological functions such as detoxification of the organism, and the Protein biosynthesis, synthesis of proteins and biochemicals necessary for ...

to the front body wall and divides the liver into the left lobe and right lobe. The falciform ligament is a broad and thin fold of

peritoneum The peritoneum is the serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity or coelom in amniotes and some invertebrates, such as annelids. It covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs, and is composed of a layer of mesoth ...

, its base being directed downward and backward and its apex upward and forward. It droops down from the hilum of the liver.

Structure

The falciform ligament stretches obliquely from the front to the back of the abdomen, with one surface in contact with the

behind the right

rectus abdominis muscle The rectus abdominis muscle, ( la, straight abdominal) also known as the "abdominal muscle" or simply the "abs", is a paired straight muscle. It is a paired muscle, separated by a midline band of connective tissue called the linea alba. It ex ...

and the diaphragm, and the other in contact with the left lobe of the liver. The ligament stretches from the underside of the diaphragm to the posterior surface of the sheath of the right

, as low down as the umbilicus; by its right margin it extends from the notch on the anterior margin of the liver, as far back as the posterior surface. It is composed of two layers of peritoneum closely united together. Its base or free edge contains, between its layers, the round ligament and the

paraumbilical veins In the course of the round ligament of the liver, small paraumbilical veins are found which establish an anastomosis between the veins of the anterior abdominal wall and the portal vein, hypogastric, and iliac veins. These veins include Burrow' ...

Development

It is a remnant of the embryonic

ventral mesentery The mesentery is an organ that attaches the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall in humans and is formed by the double fold of peritoneum. It helps in storing fat and allowing blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves to supply the intestin ...

. The

umbilical vein The umbilical vein is a vein present during fetal development that carries oxygenated blood from the placenta into the growing fetus. The umbilical vein provides convenient access to the central circulation of a neonate for restoration of blood v ...

of the fetus gives rise to the round ligament of liver in the adult, which is found in the free border of the falciform ligament.

Clinical significance

The falciform ligament can become canalized if an individual is suffering from portal hypertension. Due to the increase in venous congestion, blood is pushed down from the liver towards the anterior abdominal wall and if blood pools here, will result in dilatation of veins around the umbilicus. If these veins radiate out from the umbilicus, they can give the appearance of a head (the umbilicus) with hair of snakes (the veins) – this is referred to as

caput medusae Caput medusae is the appearance of distended and engorged superficial epigastric veins, which are seen radiating from the umbilicus across the abdomen. The name ''caput medusae'' (Latin for "head of Medusa") originates from the apparent similar ...

.Misdraji J, Embryology, anatomy, histology, and developmental anomalies of the liver. In, Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th edition, Feldman M, Friedman LS and Branbdt LJ, eds. pp. 1217-122.

Additional images

File:Gray984.png, Cross-section showing the primitive mesentery of a six weeks' human embryo File:Gray1039.png, Cross-section showing folds of peritoneum in the upper abdomen File:Slide2UC.JPG, A

cadaver A cadaver or corpse is a dead human body that is used by medical students, physicians and other scientists to study anatomy, identify disease sites, determine causes of death, and provide tissue to repair a defect in a living human being. Stud ...

liver seen from above, showing the falciform ligament at the top

References

External links

* - "Abdominal Cavity: The Falciform Ligament of the Liver" * - "The Visceral Surface of the Liver" * * * {{Authority control Hepatology Ligaments of the torso