The falciform ligament is a sickle-shaped peritoneal fold suspending the liver from the anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm. Its free inferior edge contains the ligamentum teres hepatis (obliterated left umbilical vein) connecting the liver to the umbilicus. In portal hypertension, the ligamentum teres can recanalize, and blood flow direction can reverse through it.
| Origin | Anterior abdominal wall and diaphragm |
|---|---|
| Insertion | Anterior liver surface between the right and left lobes |
| Actions | Suspends the liver from the anterior abdominal wall; contains the ligamentum teres (obliterated umbilical vein) in its free edge |
|---|
The falciform ligament is divided during laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy and hepatic procedures to improve access to the right lobe. Its free edge containing the ligamentum teres is used in some laparoscopic procedures as a landmark for liver retraction.
Recanalization of the ligamentum teres within the falciform ligament in portal hypertension creating a porto-systemic collateral visible as a caput medusae at the umbilicus.
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