Phrenicosplenic ligament

The phrenosplenic ligament (lienophrenic ligament or phrenicolienal ligament) is a double fold of peritoneum that connects the thoracic diaphragm and spleen in the left cranial abdominal quadrant. It is derived embryologically from the dorsal mesogastrium, like other ligaments of the spleen.

The phrenicolienal ligament is part of the greater omentum.

Structural Characteristics

• Attachments:

  • Cranial end attaches to the left diaphragmatic crus, typically near the vertebrocostal triangle.

  • Caudal end connects to the dorsal pole of the spleen (usually near its medial surface). In horses, the ventral portion of the phrenosplenic ligament is attached to the left kidney, and is termed as splenorenal ligament.

• Peritoneal Relation: It is part of the greater omentum and exists in conjunction with other splenic ligaments including:

  • The gastrosplenic ligament (from stomach to spleen)

  • The splenorenal ligament (from spleen to left kidney)

• Vascular Significance: While the phrenicosplenic ligament does not primarily carry major vessels, it may contain small branches of the phrenic or splenic vessels and connective tissue.

• Spatial Orientation: This ligament helps maintain the dorsal and cranial positioning of the spleen and may act as a barrier or partition between compartments within the peritoneal cavity.