Ligament of Treitz

What is the ligament of Treitz?

The ligament of Treitz is a thin band of tissue (peritoneum) that connects and supports the end of the duodenum and beginning of the jejunum in the small intestine. It’s also called the suspensory muscle of duodenum.

What’s the purpose of the ligament of Treitz?

The ligament of Treitz:

• Contracts to help the contents of the intestines move along.
• Helps anchor the duodenum (first part of the small intestine, just after the stomach).
• Is an important landmark in human anatomy, especially for surgeons. It forms the boundary between the upper GI tract to the lower GI tract and helps define what classifies as an upper or lower gastrointestinal bleed.

Where is the ligament of Treitz?

The ligament of Treitz extends from the diaphragm to a part of the small intestine called the duodenojejunal flexure. The duodenojejunal flexure is a sharp angle in the small intestine between the duodenum and the jejunum (two parts of the small intestine).

What does the ligament of Treitz look like?

The ligament of Treitz is a band of tissue (peritoneum). It’s made from a folded part of the peritoneum (a membrane that lines the inside of the abdomen). It can range in length from a half-inch to 2.5 inches.

What conditions involve the suspensory muscle of duodenum?

Conditions involving the ligament of Treitz — like intestinal malrotation — are rare.

What is intestinal malrotation?

Sometimes a baby can be born with structural problems in the abdomen. If the ligament of Treitz and the duodenojejunal flexure are not in the correct positions, intestinal malrotation may occur.

Intestinal malrotation means the intestine is twisted. It’s one of the most common abdominal abnormalities.

Symptoms of intestinal malrotation usually appear in the first year of life. They include:

• Abdominal pain that won’t go away.
• Blood in vomit or poop.
• Failure to thrive (or gain weight).
• Repeat infections in the GI tract.
• Vomiting with no apparent cause.

Treatment for intestinal malrotation involves surgery to correct the twisting.

How can I keep my ligament of Treitz healthy?

Problems with the ligament of Treitz are congenital (present at birth). Scientists don’t know what causes these birth defects. Therefore, there’s currently no way to prevent the conditions involving the ligament of Treitz.

When should I call a healthcare provider?

You should call your healthcare provider or your child’s pediatrician for any of the following symptoms:

• Blood in the stool that can be red or black (lower gastrointestinal bleeding).
• Blood in the vomit (upper gastrointestinal bleeding).
• Inability to gain weight or sudden weight loss.
• Nausea that won’t go away.
• Lack of poop for several days.
• Pain in the belly that won’t go away.
• Swelling in the belly area.
• Vomiting that won’t stop.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

The ligament of Treitz is a band of tissue in the abdomen (belly). It supports and anchors the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine) and helps move contents along the gastrointestinal tract. A birth defect involving the ligament of Treitz can cause intestinal malrotation (twisting). Call your healthcare provider if you or your child has belly pain, swelling or vomiting that won’t go away.