Ligamentum Venosum

ligamentum venosum

The ligamentum venosum is the fibrous remnant of the ductus venosus, which in the fetus shunted oxygenated umbilical blood from the left portal vein directly to the inferior vena cava, bypassing the hepatic sinusoids. After birth, the ductus venosus closes and becomes the ligamentum venosum, lying in the fissure for the ligamentum venosum on the posterior surface of the left hepatic lobe, separating the caudate lobe from segment II.

Region: Abdomen

Biomechanics

Function & Actions

A fibrous fetal remnant with no haemodynamic function in adults; serves as the surgical boundary between the caudate lobe and the left hepatic lobe, and as a landmark in hepatic surgery and liver imaging.

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The fissure for the ligamentum venosum is the anatomical landmark separating the caudate lobe posteriorly from the left lateral section of the liver anteriorly. In hepatobiliary surgery, identification of the ligamentum venosum guides dissection of the caudate lobe. On CT and MRI, this fissure is used to delineate the caudate lobe boundary, which is important for hepatic tumour staging and resection planning. The ligamentum venosum is distinct from the ligamentum teres hepatis.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Caudate Lobe Access via Ligamentum Venosum Fissure

Hepatic tumours in the caudate lobe are approached surgically by opening the fissure for the ligamentum venosum, which marks the anatomical plane between the caudate and the left lateral section, providing access to the short hepatic veins draining the caudate directly into the IVC.