Ligament
Median umbilical ligament
The midline urachal remnant above the bladder
High-yield
Median is singular and urachal; the paired medial ligaments are arterial remnants. Lateral umbilical folds cover functioning inferior epigastric vessels.
Overview
The median umbilical ligament is the fibrous adult remnant of the urachus, extending from bladder apex toward the umbilicus. It lies outside the peritoneal cavity and raises the median umbilical fold on its inner surface.
Reference facts
- Attachments
- Connects the bladder apex with the umbilical region in the midline extraperitoneal plane.
- Function
- A developmental remnant that provides some tethering; it has no normal adult urine-conducting role after obliteration.
- Clinical point
- Residual epithelial-lined tissue may become infected or form a urachal anomaly; rare malignant change is anatomically associated with the midline bladder-dome region.
Clinical correlation
Persistent urachal tissue may form a bladder-to-umbilicus channel, an umbilical sinus, a cyst or a bladder-end diverticulum. Rare urachal cancers often involve the bladder dome or adjacent midline tract.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the median umbilical ligament attach?
The median umbilical ligament attaches connects the bladder apex with the umbilical region in the midline extraperitoneal plane.
What does the median umbilical ligament do?
A developmental remnant that provides some tethering; it has no normal adult urine-conducting role after obliteration.
Why does the median umbilical ligament matter clinically?
Residual epithelial-lined tissue may become infected or form a urachal anomaly; rare malignant change is anatomically associated with the midline bladder-dome region.