Superior phrenicoesophageal ligament
Ligamentum phrenicooesophageum superius
- Latin synonym: Ligamentum phrenicoesophageale superius
- Synonym: Superior phrenico-esophageal ligament; Superior phrenicooesophageal ligament
- Related terms: Phrenicooesophageal ligament
Definition
The phrenicooesophageal ligament (phrenooesophageal ligament) is a seal where the esophagus passes from the thorax into the abdomen through the diaphragmatic hiatus. It consists of the following elements : pleural, subpleural (endothoracic) fascia, phrenoesophageal fascia (Laimer's), transversalis fascia and peritoneum.
This ligament doesn't fix the oesophagus to the diaphragma.
It'is present in newborn infants, but is attenuated in adult as subperitoneal fat, and disapeared in case or hiatal hernia.
References
Text by Antoine Micheau, MD - Copyright IMAIOS
