Round ligament of uterus

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Round ligament of uterus
Sagittal section through the pelvis of a newly born female child. (Label for round ligament of uterus visible at upper right.)
1. Round ligament
2. Uterus
3. Uterine cavity
4. Intestinal surface of Uterus
5. Versical surface(toward bladder)
6. Fundus of uterus
7. Body of uterus
8. Palmate folds of cervical canal
9. Cervical canal
10. Posterior lip
11. Cervical os (external)
12. Isthmus of uterus
13. Supravaginal portion of cervix
14. Vaginal portion of cervix
15. Anterior lip
16. Cervix
Latin ligamentum teres uteri
Gray's subject #268 1261
Artery uterine artery, artery of round ligament of uterus
Precursor lower gubernaculum[1]
MeSH Round+Ligament

The round ligament of the uterus originates at the uterine horns, in the parametrium.

It leaves the pelvis via the deep inguinal ring[2], passes through the inguinal canal and continues on to the labia majora[3] where its fibers spread and mix with the tissue of the mons pubis.

Contents

[edit] Function

The function of the round ligament is maintenance of the anteversion of the uterus (a position where the fundus of the uterus leans ventrally). When the uterus grows during pregnancy, these ligaments can stretch causing some individuals pain.[4]

[edit] Embryology

The round ligament develops from the gubernaculum which attaches the gonad to the labioscrotal swellings in the embryo.[1]

[edit] Blood Supply

The round ligament is supplied by the artery of the round ligament, otherwise known as "Sampson's artery."

[edit] Additional images

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Swiss embryology (from UL, UB, and UF) ugenital/diffmorpho05
  2. ^ SUNY Labs 43:03-0201 - "The Female Pelvis: The Broad Ligament"
  3. ^ SUNY Labs 36:03-0105 - "Inguinal Region, Scrotum and Testes: The Internal Surface of the Anterior Abdominal Wall"
  4. ^ Pregnancy-Round Ligament Pain. webMD.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-27.

[edit] External links

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