Median umbilical ligament
Encyclopedia
The median umbilical ligament is a structure in human anatomy
. It is a shrivelled piece of tissue that represents the remnant of the embryonic urachus
.
It extends from the apex of the bladder
to the umbilicus
, on the deep surface of the anterior abdominal wall. It is unpaired.
It is covered by the median umbilical fold
Lateral to this structure are the medial umbilical ligament
(which is a different structure, not to be confused) and the lateral umbilical ligament
.
, such as laparoscopic inguinal hernia
repair. Other than this, it has no function in a born human and may be cut or removed with impunity.
Anatomy
Anatomy is a branch of biology and medicine that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy , and plant anatomy...
. It is a shrivelled piece of tissue that represents the remnant of the embryonic urachus
Urachus
The urachus is a fibrous remnant of the allantois, a canal that drains the urinary bladder of the fetus that joins and runs within the umbilical cord...
.
It extends from the apex of the bladder
Urinary bladder
The urinary bladder is the organ that collects urine excreted by the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor...
to the umbilicus
Navel
The navel is a scar on the abdomen caused when the umbilical cord is removed from a newborn baby...
, on the deep surface of the anterior abdominal wall. It is unpaired.
It is covered by the median umbilical fold
Lateral to this structure are the medial umbilical ligament
Medial umbilical ligament
The medial umbilical ligament is a paired structure found in human anatomy. It is on the deep surface of the anterior abdominal wall, and is covered by the medial umbilical folds ....
(which is a different structure, not to be confused) and the lateral umbilical ligament
Lateral umbilical ligament
The lateral umbilical fold overlies the inferior epigastric artery and its accompanying veins. Unlike the median and medial umbilical folds, the contents of the Lateral Umbilical fold remain functional after birth....
.
Significance
It may be used as a landmark for surgeons who are performing laparoscopyLaparoscopy
Laparoscopy is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions with the aid of a camera...
, such as laparoscopic inguinal hernia
Inguinal hernia
An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of abdominal-cavity contents through the inguinal canal. They are very common , and their repair is one of the most frequently performed surgical operations....
repair. Other than this, it has no function in a born human and may be cut or removed with impunity.
External links
- Median umbilical ligament
- - "The inguinal canal and derivation of the layers of the spermatic cord."
- - "The Male Pelvis: The Urinary Bladder"
- Median umbilical fold
- - "Internal surface of the anterior abdominal wall."