title: Variation in falciform ligament with pheumoperitoneum.
abstract: The anatomic variation in length, thickness and course of the falciform ligament was studied on abdominal radiographs of 21 patients with pneumoperitoneum. In adults, considerable variation was found: the length ranged from 6 to 14 cm (mean 9.9 cm) and thickness from 1 to 11 mm (mean 6mm). In contrast, children displayed a uniformly thin ligament. Familiarity with anatomic variation of the falciform ligament aids prompt recognition of pneumoperitoneum in seriously ill patients.
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008022:Ligaments / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011027:Pneumoperitoneum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography