Variation in falciform ligament with pheumoperitoneum.
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.
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