The lateral arcuate ligament (also lateral lumbocostal arch) is a ligament

Ligament

In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...

 under the diaphragm that arches across the upper part of the quadratus lumborum. It is traversed by the subcostal nerve

Subcostal nerve

The anterior division of the twelfth thoracic nerve is larger than the others; it runs along the lower border of the twelfth rib, often gives a communicating branch to the first lumbar nerve, and passes under the lateral lumbocostal arch.It then runs in front of the Quadratus lumborum, perforates...

, artery and vein

Subcostal vein

The subcostal vein is a vein in the human body that runs along the bottom of the twelfth rib. It has the same essential qualities as the posterior intercostal veins, except that it cannot be considered intercostal because it is not between two ribs....

.

Structure

The lateral arcuate ligament runs from the front of the transverse process of the first lumbar vertebra, and, laterally, to the tip and lower margin of the twelfth rib

Rib

In vertebrate anatomy, ribs are the long curved bones which form the rib cage. In most vertebrates, ribs surround the chest, enabling the lungs to expand and thus facilitate breathing by expanding the chest cavity. They serve to protect the lungs, heart, and other internal organs of the thorax...

. It forms an arch over the quadratus lumborum muscle.

External links

- "The abdominal surface of the diaphragm."