The obliterated umbilical vein is called?

Appeared in: BSF Staff Nurse - 2015

Explanation

After birth, the umbilical vein, which carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the fetus, is no longer needed.
This vessel closes off and fibroses, transforming into a ligamentous structure.
The fibrous remnant of the umbilical vein is known as the ligamentum teres hepatis, also called the round ligament of the liver.
It is located in the free edge of the falciform ligament, extending from the umbilicus to the liver.

Option A: The ductus venosus is a fetal vessel that shunts blood from the umbilical vein to the inferior vena cava, bypassing the liver. Its remnant is the ligamentum venosum, not the ligamentum teres.
Option B: The ligamentum arteriosum is the remnant of the ductus arteriosus, a fetal vessel that connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta.
Option D: The urachus is a remnant of the allantois, a canal that drains the fetal bladder. After birth, it obliterates to become the median umbilical ligament.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Fetal circulation and its postnatal remnants as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
A key nursing assessment finding in patients with advanced liver disease (cirrhosis) and portal hypertension is caput medusae.
This sign results from the recanalization (reopening) of the obliterated umbilical vein (ligamentum teres), creating a portosystemic shunt. Recognizing this sign is crucial for assessing the severity of liver disease.
What if? If a patient with known alcoholism presents with swollen, radiating veins around the umbilicus, the nurse should suspect severe portal hypertension and liver failure, prompting immediate assessment of liver function, vital signs, and potential for variceal bleeding.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question, which is asking for the adult remnant of a specific fetal vessel (the umbilical vein).
This is a direct recall question based on anatomical and embryological knowledge.
Systematically review the options, mentally matching each term to its fetal origin.
Recall that the umbilical vein is associated with the liver. 'Teres' is part of 'ligamentum teres hepatis' (round ligament of the liver), which is a strong clue.
Eliminate the other options by correctly identifying their origins: Ductus venosus becomes ligamentum venosum; Ductus arteriosus becomes ligamentum arteriosum; Urachus becomes the median umbilical ligament.
Confirm the correct match: Umbilical vein → Ligamentum teres.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Anatomy Grays 43e Vol 1 Part 2 pp. 59-61, 54-56

Practise the full BSF Staff Nurse - 2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.