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What is a Ligament of Treitz?

Jessica Susan Reuter
Jessica Susan Reuter

A ligament of Treitz connects the diaphragm to the small intestine and stimulates movement of material though the small intestine when it expands or contracts. The name is slightly misleading, as it does not connect bones together like true ligaments. Instead, it is a group of three small muscles, one from the diaphragm and two from the small intestine. It was named after Václav Treitz, the Czech pathologist who discovered it.

Depictions of the structure in anatomical textbooks often show it being much larger than it actually is. The muscles that make it up are small and relatively weak, and despite being used for diagnostic purposes for malrotation, the ligament is not strong enough to prevent it from occurring. Its size and shape can also vary, which means that not all operate at exactly the same rate of efficiency.

The ligament of treitz includes muscles of the diaphragm and small intestine.
The ligament of treitz includes muscles of the diaphragm and small intestine.

The ligament of Treitz is located at a very important junction point in the gastrointestinal cavity: the point at which the first section of the small intestine ends and the second section starts. If its location is disturbed in any way, difficulties in both the small intestine and in the gastrointestinal cavity can result. The most severe of these is superior mesenteric artery syndrome, which results in the third section of the small intestine being compressed, causing a potentially life-threatening condition.

The ligament of Treitz connects the diaph.
The ligament of Treitz connects the diaph.

Since its location is so specific, it is possible to make educated guesses about the location of injuries relative to it. This is very important in cases of internal bleeding, which must be stopped quickly. Certain types of symptoms signify bleeding on the near side of the ligament, while different symptoms signify bleeding on the far side. This does not conclusively pinpoint where the bleeding occurs, but does identify a smaller search space when time is critical.

The position of the ligament of Treitz can also be used to diagnose a dangerous medical problem in children called malrotation. Malrotation occurs when the intestines did not fix in place properly during development and twist inside the body, causing possible blockages that could lead to organ failure or death. When malrotation occurs, the ligament is pulled out of place by the rotated intestines. Though this can cause severe problems, early detection using the position of the ligament can sometimes enable action to be taken before severe damage results.

Discussion Comments

tolleranza

@speechie - I know of another two ligaments that are more of a duodenal ligament - the hepatogastric ligament and hepatoduodenal ligament are a part of the lesser omentum.

These ligaments have something to do with the area of the duodenum and the liver.

But again, like @runner101 described - I don't know about the likelihood of these ligaments being moved or what type of damage occurs if it is moved. I can only go so far as my anatomy class can take me!

Speechie

It made me cringe just to think about the malrotation the article described.

Are there many other ligaments of the body that have to do with the intestines that have such specific locations that if they are moved cause the problems like was described in this article of what happens to the gastrointestinal tract when the Ligament of Treitz is moved?

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    • The ligament of treitz includes muscles of the diaphragm and small intestine.
      By: pixelcaos
      The ligament of treitz includes muscles of the diaphragm and small intestine.
    • The ligament of Treitz connects the diaph.
      By: snapgalleria
      The ligament of Treitz connects the diaph.