Ligamentum Teres Flashcards

Explore the round ligament of the liver, its fetal origin, falciform ligament relationship, anatomical course, and portal venous connections.

Card 1 of 22Question

What is the ligamentum teres of the liver?

A fibrous cord representing the remnant of the fetal left umbilical vein.

In This Section

1. What is the ligamentum teres of the liver?

A fibrous cord representing the remnant of the fetal left umbilical vein.

2. What is another anatomical name for the ligamentum teres hepatis?

The round ligament of the liver.

3. Which fetal blood vessel develops into the ligamentum teres?

The left umbilical vein.

4. What was the function of the left umbilical vein during fetal development?

It transported oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood from the placenta toward the fetal liver.

5. What happens to the left umbilical vein after birth?

It normally undergoes obliteration and becomes the fibrous ligamentum teres.

6. Which peritoneal ligament contains the ligamentum teres?

The falciform ligament.

7. Where is the ligamentum teres positioned within the falciform ligament?

Along its free inferior border.

8. From which anterior abdominal wall landmark does the ligamentum teres extend?

The umbilicus.

9. Through which fissure does the ligamentum teres enter the visceral surface of the liver?

The fissure for the ligamentum teres.

10. Which two anatomical liver regions are separated by the fissure for the ligamentum teres?

The anatomical left lobe and quadrate lobe.

11. Which functional liver segments lie on either side of the umbilical fissure?

Segment III laterally and segment IVb medially.

12. Which portal venous structure is connected to the hepatic end of the ligamentum teres?

The umbilical portion of the left portal vein.

13. What is the ligamentum teres primarily composed of in adults?

Dense fibrous connective tissue.

14. Does the ligamentum teres normally transport blood after birth?

No. It is normally an obliterated fibrous remnant rather than a functional blood vessel.

15. Which veins may enlarge along the ligamentum teres in portal hypertension?

The paraumbilical veins.

16. What type of venous connection is associated with the paraumbilical veins?

A portosystemic anastomosis between portal venous branches and superficial abdominal wall veins.

17. What is caput medusae?

Dilated superficial abdominal veins radiating from the umbilicus, typically associated with portal hypertension.

18. What is the recanalized umbilical vein sign on abdominal imaging?

A tubular vascular structure along the ligamentum teres region, usually representing enlarged paraumbilical venous channels.

19. How does the ligamentum teres differ from the ligamentum venosum?

The ligamentum teres derives from the left umbilical vein, while the ligamentum venosum derives from the ductus venosus.

20. Why is the ligamentum teres an important landmark during liver surgery?

It identifies the umbilical fissure and helps orient surgeons to the left hepatic segmental anatomy.

21. What is the round ligament approach to the left portal vein?

A surgical approach using the ligamentum teres and umbilical fissure to locate the umbilical portion of the left portal vein.

22. Why must vessels near the ligamentum teres be assessed before surgical division in portal hypertension?

Enlarged paraumbilical venous collaterals may cause significant bleeding if injured.