Left lateral arcuate ligament
Ligamentum arcuatum laterale sinistrum
- Synonym: Left lumbocostal arch
- Latin eponym: Arcus lumbocostalis lateralis Halleri
- Eponym: Haller's arch
Definition
The left lateral arcuate ligament (left lateral lumbocostal arch; lateral Haller's arch) is a tendinous arch that is part of the diaphragm. It extends from the transverse process of the first lumbar vertebra to the twelfth rib. This ligament arches over the quadratus lumborum muscle, providing a structural connection between the diaphragm and the posterior abdominal wall.
Anatomic variations of the lateral arcuate ligaments have been observed on computed tomographic (CT) scans, where they may appear as nodular areas abutting the lateral diaphragmatic surface and extending into the posterior pararenal space.
References
Lateral Arcuate Ligaments of the Diaphragm: Anatomic Variations at Abdominal CT.Silverman PM, Cooper C, Zeman RK.Radiology. 1992;185(1):105-8. doi:10.1148/radiology.185.1.1523290.
