| Coronary ligament | |
|---|---|
 Posterior and inferior surfaces of the liver. (Coronary ligament labeled at center right.) | |
 Vertical disposition of the peritoneum. Main cavity, red; omental bursa, blue. | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ligamentum coronarium hepatis |
| TA98 | A10.1.02.302 |
| TA2 | 3772 |
| FMA | 15822 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The coronary ligament of the liver refers to parts of the peritoneal reflections[ clarification needed ] that hold the liver to the inferior surface of the diaphragm.
The convex diaphragmatic surface of the liver (anterior, superior and a little posterior) is connected to the concavity of the inferior surface of the diaphragm by reflections of peritoneum. The coronary ligament is the largest of these, having an anterior (frontal) and posterior (back) layers.
The diaphragmatic surface of the liver that is in direct contact with the diaphragm (just beyond the peritoneal reflections) has no peritoneal covering, and is termed the bare area of the liver.
The anterior layer of the coronary ligament is formed by the reflection[ clarification needed ] of the peritoneum from the upper margin of the bare area of the liver to the under surface of the diaphragm.
The posterior layer of the coronary ligament is reflected[ clarification needed ] from the lower margin of the bare area and is continuous with the right layer of the lesser omentum.
The anterior and posterior layers converge on the right and left sides of the liver to form the right triangular ligament and the left triangular ligament, respectively. In between the two sides of the anterior layer, the reflection of peritoneum has an inferior continuation termed the falciform ligament. The falciform ligament contains the round ligament of liver.
The thoracic diaphragm, or simply the diaphragm, is a sheet of internal skeletal muscle in humans and other mammals that extends across the bottom of the thoracic cavity. The diaphragm is the most important muscle of respiration, and separates the thoracic cavity, containing the heart and lungs, from the abdominal cavity: as the diaphragm contracts, the volume of the thoracic cavity increases, creating a negative pressure there, which draws air into the lungs. Its high oxygen consumption is noted by the many mitochondria and capillaries present; more than in any other skeletal muscle.
In human anatomy, the mesentery, an organ that attaches the intestines to the posterior abdominal wall, comprises the double fold of the peritoneum. It helps in storing fat and allowing blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves to supply the intestines.
The lesser omentum is the double layer of peritoneum that extends from the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach, and to the first part of the duodenum. The lesser omentum is usually divided into these two connecting parts: the hepatogastric ligament, and the hepatoduodenal ligament.
The abdomen is the front part of the torso between the thorax (chest) and pelvis in humans and in other vertebrates. The area occupied by the abdomen is called the abdominal cavity. In arthropods, it is the posterior tagma of the body; it follows the thorax or cephalothorax.
In anatomy, the abdominal wall represents the boundaries of the abdominal cavity. The abdominal wall is split into the anterolateral and posterior walls.
The ischium forms the lower and back region of the hip bone.
The sacrotuberous ligament is situated at the lower and back part of the pelvis. It is flat, and triangular in form; narrower in the middle than at the ends.
In human anatomy, the falciform ligament is a ligament that attaches the liver to the front body wall and divides the liver into the left lobe and right lobe. The falciform ligament is a broad and thin fold of peritoneum, its base being directed downward and backward and its apex upward and forward. It droops down from the hilum of the liver.
The transversalis fascia is the fascial lining of the anterolateral abdominal wall situated between the inner surface of the transverse abdominal muscle, and the preperitoneal fascia. It is directly continuous with the iliac fascia, the internal spermatic fascia, and pelvic fascia.
The greater omentum is a large apron-like fold of visceral peritoneum that hangs down from the stomach. It extends from the greater curvature of the stomach, passing in front of the small intestines and doubles back to ascend to the transverse colon before reaching to the posterior abdominal wall. The greater omentum is larger than the lesser omentum, which hangs down from the liver to the lesser curvature. The common anatomical term "epiploic" derives from "epiploon", from the Greek epipleein, meaning to float or sail on, since the greater omentum appears to float on the surface of the intestines. It is the first structure observed when the abdominal cavity is opened anteriorly.
The perineal membrane is an anatomical term for a fibrous membrane in the perineum. The term "inferior fascia of urogenital diaphragm", used in older texts, is considered equivalent to the perineal membrane.
The bare area of the liver is a large triangular area on the diaphragmatic surface of the liver. It is the only part of the liver with no peritoneal covering, although it is still covered by Glisson's capsule. It is attached directly to the diaphragm by loose connective tissue. The bare area of the liver is relevant to the portacaval anastomosis, encloses the right extraperitoneal subphrenic space, and can be a site of spread of infection from the abdominal cavity to the thoracic cavity
The left triangular ligament is a large peritoneal fold. It connects the posterior part of the upper surface of the left lobe of the liver to the thoracic diaphragm.
The right triangular ligament is situated at the right extremity of the bare area, and is a small fold which passes to the diaphragm, being formed by the apposition of the upper and lower layers of the coronary ligament.
A portacaval anastomosis or portocaval anastomosis is a specific type of circulatory anastomosis that occurs between the veins of the portal circulation and the vena cava, thus forming one of the principal types of portasystemic anastomosis or portosystemic anastomosis, as it connects the portal circulation to the systemic circulation, providing an alternative pathway for the blood. When there is a blockage of the portal system, portocaval anastomosis enables the blood to still reach the systemic venous circulation. The inferior end of the esophagus and the superior part of the rectum are potential sites of a harmful portocaval anastomosis.
The hepatorenal ligament is the fold of peritoneum that extends from the lower posterior surface of the liver to the anterior surface of the right kidney. It forms the right margin of the lesser sac.
The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:
In human anatomy, the omental foramen is the passage of communication, or foramen, between the greater sac, and the lesser sac of the peritoneal cavity.
The superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes lie on the thoracic aspect of the diaphragm, and consist of three sets – anterior, middle, and posterior.
In human anatomy, the liver is divided grossly into four parts or lobes: the right lobe, the left lobe, the caudate lobe, and the quadrate lobe. Seen from the front – the diaphragmatic surface – the liver is divided into two lobes: the right lobe and the left lobe. Viewed from the underside – the visceral surface – the other two smaller lobes, the caudate lobe and the quadrate lobe, are also visible. The two smaller lobes, the caudate lobe and the quadrate lobe, are known as superficial or accessory lobes, and both are located on the underside of the right lobe.
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1192 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
