Ligamentum arteriosum (anatomy)

The ligamentum arteriosum is a fibrous band that runs between the superior surface of the origin of the left pulmonary artery and the inferior surface of the arch of the aorta. It passes superolaterally from inferior to superior attachments; the latter is about the level of the origin of the left subclavian artery from the aorta.

Its relations include:

• posterosuperior: arch of aorta
• inferomedial: pulmonary trunk
• laterally:
  • vagus nerve
  • recurrent laryngeal nerve which hooks around the ligamentum arteriosum
• medially: deep part of cardiac plexus
• anteriorly: superficial part of cardiac plexus, phrenic nerve

The ligamentum arteriosum represents the remnant of the fetal ductus arteriosus.