Ligament: Broad ligament of the uterus | ||
---|---|---|
Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind. (Broad ligament visible at center.) | ||
Latin | ligamentum latum uteri | |
Gray's | subject #268 1259 | |
From | ||
To | ||
Dorlands/Elsevier | l_09/12492509 |
The broad ligament of the uterus is the wide fold of peritoneum that connects the sides of the uterus to the walls and floor of the pelvis.
Contents |
The broad ligament may be divided into three subcomponents:[1]
The contents of the broad ligament include the following:[2]
The peritoneum surrounds the uterus 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.
The broad ligament serves as a mesentery for the uterus, ovaries, and the uterine tubes. It helps in maintaining the uterus in its position,but it is not a major contributing factor.
This article was originally based on an entry from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy. As such, some of the information contained within it may be outdated.
|
|