Which fetal vessel becomes the ligamentum teres hepatis (round ligament) in the adult liver?

Which fetal vessel becomes the ligamentum teres hepatis (round ligament) in the adult liver?

• A. Umbilical vein
• B. Umbilical artery
• C. Ductus venosus
• D. Ductus arteriosus

Answer: (A)

The ligamentum teres hepatis is a fibrous remnant of the umbilical vein. In fetal life the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus and delivers it to the liver. After birth, the vein closes and becomes a thin cord within the falciform ligament, known as the round ligament. The other fetal vessels do not form the teres: the ductus venosus becomes the ligamentum venosum inside the liver, the ductus arteriosus becomes the ligamentum arteriosum near the heart, and the umbilical arteries become the medial umbilical ligaments along the abdominal wall.

The ligamentum teres hepatis is a fibrous remnant of the umbilical vein. In fetal life the umbilical vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus and delivers it to the liver. After birth, the vein closes and becomes a thin cord within the falciform ligament, known as the round ligament. The other fetal vessels do not form the teres: the ductus venosus becomes the ligamentum venosum inside the liver, the ductus arteriosus becomes the ligamentum arteriosum near the heart, and the umbilical arteries become the medial umbilical ligaments along the abdominal wall.