Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2025

Treatment of Ligament Constructs with Exercise-conditioned Serum: A Translational Tissue Engineering Model
08:03

Treatment of Ligament Constructs with Exercise-conditioned Serum: A Translational Tissue Engineering Model

Published on: June 11, 2017

13.5K

The Ligament of Marshall: Far From Vestigial!

Raghav Chandra1, Jasmina Ehab1, Madhuri Nagaraj1

  • 1Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

Annals of Thoracic Surgery Short Reports
|March 18, 2025
PubMed

Insights

The ligament of Marshall (LOM), an embryologic remnant, is a key focus for atrial fibrillation (AF) and a therapeutic target. Ablating the LOM offers a strategy to reduce AF risk, particularly after lung transplantation.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Embryology
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • The ligament of Marshall (LOM) is an embryologic remnant in the left atrium.
  • It contains remnants of the left cardinal vein, muscle bundles, and nerve fibers.
  • Despite its vestigial nature, the LOM has significant clinical implications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the embryologic origins of the LOM.
  • To discuss its role in atrial fibrillation (AF) pathogenesis.
  • To explore LOM ablation as a therapeutic strategy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of embryologic development of the LOM.
  • Analysis of LOM's physiological role in AF.
  • Discussion of electrophysiologic and surgical ablation techniques targeting the LOM.

Main Results:

  • The LOM, especially its distal segment, acts as a trigger and propagation pathway for AF.
  • Electrophysiologic therapies (radiofrequency, alcohol ablation) target the LOM.
  • Surgical ablation of the LOM is crucial for left atrial lesion sets and may reduce postoperative AF after lung transplantation.

Conclusions:

  • The ligament of Marshall is a significant focus for paroxysmal AF.
  • It serves as a potent therapeutic target for both electrophysiologic and surgical interventions.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Isolation and Characterization of the Murine Uterosacral Ligaments and Pelvic Floor Organs05:47

Isolation and Characterization of the Murine Uterosacral Ligaments and Pelvic Floor Organs

Published on: March 3, 2023

1.2K
Development of a Uterosacral Ligament Suspension Rat Model08:58

Development of a Uterosacral Ligament Suspension Rat Model

Published on: August 17, 2022

3.7K

Related Concept Videos

The Auditory Ossicles01:11

The Auditory Ossicles

The auditory ossicles of the middle ear transmit sounds from the air as vibrations to the fluid-filled cochlea. The auditory ossicles consist of two malleus (hammer) bones, two incus (anvil) bones, and two stapes (stirrups), one on each side. These bones develop during the fetal stage and are the ones to ossify first. They are fully mature at birth and do not grow afterward.
The aptly named stapes look very much like a stirrup. The three ossicles are unique to mammals, and each plays a role in...
1.5K
Larynx01:21

Larynx

The human larynx, often referred to as the voice box, is an intricate organ located in the neck. It serves as a pathway for air to enter the lungs during respiration and is an essential component of voice production.
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
1.1K
Ankle Joint01:10

Ankle Joint

The ankle is formed by the talocrural joint (crural = leg). It consists of the articulations between the talus bone of the foot and the distal ends of the tibia and fibula of the leg. The superior aspect of the talus bone is square-shaped and has three areas of articulation. The top of the talus articulates with the inferior tibia. This is the portion of the ankle joint that carries the body weight between the leg and foot. The sides of the talus are firmly held in position by the articulations...
1.4K
Knee Joint01:23

Knee Joint

The knee joint is the most complicated joint in the body. It consists of three articulations– two tibiofemoral and one patellofemoral. As is characteristic of synovial joints, the knee joint has a thin articular capsule that partially surrounds this joint cavity. Additionally, several ligaments, muscles, and cartilaginous structures support the movement of the knee.
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris...
1.4K
Structural Joints: Fibrous Joints01:03

Structural Joints: Fibrous Joints

Fibrous joints are a type of joint where the bones are connected by fibrous connective tissue. These joints provide stability and minimal to no movement between the articulating bones. There are three types of fibrous joints.
Suture
All the bones of the skull, except for the mandible, are joined to each other by a fibrous joint called a suture. The fibrous connective tissue found at a suture strongly unites the adjacent skull bones and thus helps to protect the brain and form the face. In...
1.9K
Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints01:17

Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints

As the name indicates, at a cartilaginous joint, the adjacent bones are united by cartilage, a tough but flexible type of connective tissue. Unlike synovial joints, these types of joints lack a joint cavity and involve bones joined together by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage.
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary...
2.1K