lateral umbilical fold

{{Infobox anatomy

| Name = Lateral umbilical ligament

| Latin = plica umbilicalis lateralis; plica epigastrica

| Image = Gray1036.png

| Caption = Posterior view of the anterior abdominal wall in its lower half. The peritoneum is in place, and the various cords are shining through.

| Image2 = Gray1037.png

| Caption2 = The peritoneum of the male pelvis.

| System =

| Precursor =

}}The lateral umbilical fold is an elevation (on either side of the body) of the peritoneum lining the inner/posterior surface of the lower anterior abdominal wall formed by the underlying inferior epigastric artery and inferior epigastric vein which the peritoneum covers. Superiorly, the lateral umbilical fold ends where the vessels reach and enter the rectus sheath{{Cite book |last=Standring |first=Susan |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1201341621 |title=Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice |year=2020 |isbn=978-0-7020-7707-4 |edition=42th |location=New York |pages=1156 |oclc=1201341621}} at the arcuate line of rectus sheath; in spite of the name, the lateral umbilical folds do not extend as far superiorly as the umbilicus.{{Cite book |last=Sinnatamby |first=Chummy |title=Last's Anatomy |publisher= Elsevier Australia|year=2011 |isbn=978-0-7295-3752-0 |edition=12th |pages=234}} Inferiorly, it extends to just medial to the deep inguinal ring.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Each lateral umbilical fold is situated lateral to the ipsilateral medial umbilical fold. Unlike the median and medial umbilical folds, the contents of the lateral umbilical fold remain functional after birth.

Clinical significance

{{See also|Hasselbach's triangle}}

The lateral umbilical fold is an important reference site with regards to hernia classification. A direct hernia occurs medial to the lateral umbilical fold, whereas an indirect hernia originates lateral to the fold. This latter case is due to the placement of the opening of the deep inguinal ring in the space lateral to the lateral umbilical fold, which allows the passage of the ductus deferens, testicular artery, and other components of the spermatic cord in men, or the round ligament of the uterus in women.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Additional images

File:Gray539.png|The arteries of the pelvis.

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Gray's}}