In the embryo, the ductus venosus connects the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, allowing oxygenated placental blood to bypass the liver. What structure does it become in the adult?

• A Ligamentum teres hepatis
• B Falciform ligament
• C Ligamentum venosum (a fibrous cord in the fissure for ligamentum venosum of the liver) ✓
• D Coronary ligament of the liver

Explanation

The ductus venosus closes within hours of birth as pulmonary circulation is established and umbilical flow ceases; it subsequently fibroses to become the ligamentum venosum, which lies in the floor of the fissure for the ligamentum venosum on the posterior surface of the liver (between the caudate lobe and the left lobe). The umbilical vein (which carried oxygenated blood from the placenta to the ductus venosus) becomes the ligamentum teres hepatis (round ligament of the liver) in the free edge of the falciform ligament. The umbilical arteries become the medial umbilical ligaments.

Reference: BD Chaurasia's Human Anatomy, 8th ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.