A rare variation of the round ligament of the liver*

Aysin Kale

Abstract

The round ligament of liver is formed by obliteration of the umblical vein, which exists in embryological life. We report an unusual variation of the round ligament of liver. During routine dissections, we encountered an unusual structure over rectus abdominis sheath of a 63-year-old male cadaver. This structure was determined to be the round ligament of liver. This ligament was not only more superficial than it normally should be, but also in an unusual manner: it reached the liver’s visceral surface after running on its way on the diaphragmatic surface of liver, thus the fissure for round ligament was not observed. Consequently this cadaver’s liver was not divided into lobes on the visceral surface. The residual lumen of the round ligament of liver is important for umbilical vein catheterization. We conclude that this rare variation may be important for catheterization and abdominal surgical procedures.