The splenophrenic ligament (phrenosplenic ligament) is a peritoneal fold connecting the superior pole and posterior surface of the spleen to the diaphragm. Together with the splenorenal (lienorenal) ligament and the gastrosplenic ligament, it forms the peritoneal suspension of the spleen within the left upper quadrant. The splenophrenic ligament contains no major vessels but may carry the upper short gastric vessels near its gastric margin.
Suspends the superior pole of the spleen from the diaphragm, limits inferior splenic displacement, and contributes to the three-ligament complex that anchors the spleen in the left subphrenic space.
The splenophrenic ligament is divided during laparoscopic and open splenectomy as part of the circumferential splenic mobilisation. The avascular nature of the splenophrenic ligament (in contrast to the vascular gastrosplenic ligament) makes it a safe early division point in lateral approach laparoscopic splenectomy. In trauma-related splenic injury, haematoma between the spleen and the diaphragm in the subphrenic space develops within the potential space defined by the splenophrenic ligament. Wandering spleen occurs when all three ligaments are congenitally absent or lax.
The splenophrenic ligament defines the superior boundary of the left subphrenic space, which collects blood after splenic laceration or after splenectomy, producing left shoulder tip pain from diaphragmatic irritation by the subphrenic collection and requiring drainage if infected.
