Structure/Morphology
The ligamentum venosum is a dense ligamentous band of fibrous tissue. It’s a remnant of the fetal circulatory system, the ductus venosus.
Key Features/Anatomical Relations
The ligamentum venosum attaches between the left portal vein and the left hepatic vein.
Function
The original function of the ligamentum venosum when it was an open channel (the ductus venosus) was to shunt blood from the left portal vein to the left hepatic vein. This allowed a large volume of highly oxygenated blood to bypass the majority of liver and to pass directly to the heart.
List of Clinical Correlates
- Liver resection
- Access to left hepatic vein in liver surgery
