Broad ligament of the uterus
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| Ligament: Broad ligament of the uterus | ||
|---|---|---|
| Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind. (Broad ligament visible at center.) | ||
| Latin | l. latum uteri | |
| Gray's | subject #268 1259 | |
| Dorlands/Elsevier | l_09/12492509 | |
The broad ligament of the uterus refers to the wide fold of peritoneum that connects the sides of the uterus to the walls and floor of the pelvis.
The uterine artery is contained in the ligament.
Contents |
[edit] Structure
The peritoneum surrounds the uterus is like a flat sheet that is folded over the uterus; on the sides of the uterus, this sheet of peritoneum comes in direct contact with itself, forming the double layer of peritoneum known as the broad ligament of the uterus. The part where this peritoneal sheet is folded (i.e. the free edge) has the uterine tubes running between the two layers; this part is known as the mesosalpinx.
[edit] Subdivisions
The broad ligament may be divided into three subcomponents:
- Mesometrium - the mesentery of the uterus; the largest portion of the broad ligament
- Mesosalpinx - the part that surrounds the uterine tube
- Mesovarium - the part that surrounds the ovary
[edit] Function
The broad ligament serves as a mesentery for the uterus, ovaries, and the uterine tubes. It helps in maintaining the uterus in its position.
[edit] Additional images
Broad ligament of adult, showing epoöphoron. |
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- SUNY Labs 43:03-0300
- SUNY Anatomy Image 9671
- SUNY Anatomy Image 9783
- Norman/Georgetown pelvis
- Swiss embryology (from UL, UB, and UF) ugenital/diffmorpho05
- Organology at UC Davis Reproductive/mammal/femalesys1/femalesys6 - Mammal, female overview (Gross, Medium)"
- Diagram at med.mun.ca
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained herein may be outdated. Please edit the article if this is the case, and feel free to remove this notice when it is no longer relevant.
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