Lateral umbilical ligament
Encyclopedia
The lateral umbilical fold overlies the inferior epigastric artery
(a branch of the external iliac artery
) and its accompanying veins. Unlike the median and medial umbilical folds, the contents of the Lateral Umbilical fold remain functional after birth.
classification. A direct hernia occurs medial to the lateral umbilical fold, whereas an indirect hernia originates lateral to the fold. This later case is due to the placement of the opening of the deep inguinal ring
in the space lateral to the lateral umbilical fold, which allows the passage of the ductus deferens, testicular artery
, and other components of the spermatic cord
in men, or the round ligament of the uterus in women.
Inferior epigastric artery
In human anatomy, inferior epigastric artery refers to the artery that arises from the external iliac artery and anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery...
(a branch of the external iliac artery
External iliac artery
The external iliac arteries are two major arteries which bifurcate off the common iliac arteries anterior to the sacroiliac joint of the pelvis. They proceed anterior and inferior along the medial border of the psoas major muscles...
) and its accompanying veins. Unlike the median and medial umbilical folds, the contents of the Lateral Umbilical fold remain functional after birth.
Clinical significance
The lateral umbilical fold is an important reference site with regards to herniaHernia
A hernia is the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach protrudes into the mediastinum through the esophageal opening in the diaphragm....
classification. A direct hernia occurs medial to the lateral umbilical fold, whereas an indirect hernia originates lateral to the fold. This later case is due to the placement of the opening of the deep inguinal ring
Deep inguinal ring
The deep inguinal ring is the entrance to the inguinal canal.-Location:...
in the space lateral to the lateral umbilical fold, which allows the passage of the ductus deferens, testicular artery
Testicular artery
The testicular artery is a branch of the abdominal aorta that supplies blood to the testis. It is a paired artery, with one for each of the testes....
, and other components of the spermatic cord
Spermatic cord
The spermatic cord is the name given to the cord-like structure in males formed by the ductus deferens and surrounding tissue that run from the abdomen down to each testicle.-Contents of spermatic cord:...
in men, or the round ligament of the uterus in women.
External links
- Lateral umbilical fold
- - "Internal surface of the anterior abdominal wall."