The median arcuate ligament is a fibrous arch that connects the left and right crura of the diaphragm, passing over the aorta near the origin of the celiac artery. In some people, this ligament sits lower than usual and compresses the celiac artery, a condition known as median arcuate ligament syndrome. This compression can be detected with Doppler ultrasound, which shows elevated velocities in the celiac artery that worsen during expiration when the diaphragm descends. Median arcuate ligament syndrome can cause abdominal pain after eating and weight loss, and Doppler ultrasound is an important non-invasive screening tool for this condition.
Sonography Term