The median arcuate ligament is formed by the right and left crura of the diaphragm.

[1] The crura connect to form an arch, behind which is the aortic hiatus, through which pass the aorta, the azygos vein, and the thoracic duct.

In between 10% and 24% of people, the median arcuate ligament occurs very low.

[2] Compression of celiac artery and celiac ganglia by the median arcuate ligament being too low in some individuals;[3] can lead to the median arcuate ligament syndrome, which is characterized by abdominal pain, weight loss, and an epigastric bruit.

[4] This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)