What is ligamentum venosum?

The ligamentum venosum is a remnant of the ductus venosus, a structure that bypasses the liver in the fetus and directs oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava. After birth, when the umbilical cord is clamped and the newborn starts breathing on its own, the ductus venosus closes and becomes a fibrous cord called the ligamentum venosum.

The ligamentum venosum runs obliquely on the posterior surface of the liver, joining the left lobe of the liver to the diaphragm. It is located on the visceral surface of the liver, near the calotriangle. The ligamentum venosum is an important anatomical landmark during surgical procedures, as it helps to identify certain structures within the liver.

The ligamentum venosum has no significant physiological function in adults, but it plays a critical role in the fetal circulation system. Its presence in the adult body serves as a reminder of the changes that occur in the circulatory system during development.