Round ligament of uterus

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. Ovary
3. Uterine cavity
4. Intestinal surface of Uterus
5. Vesical 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
Details
Precursor lower gubernaculum[1]
Artery uterine artery, artery of round ligament of uterus
Identifiers
Latin ligamentum teres uteri
MeSH A05.360.319.114.803
TA A09.1.03.029
FMA 20420

Anatomical terminology

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

Function

The function of the round ligament is maintenance of the anteflexion of the uterus (a position where the fundus of the uterus is turned forward at the junction of cervix and vagina) during pregnancy. Normally, the cardinal ligament is what supports the uterine angle (angle of anteversion). When the uterus grows during pregnancy, the round ligaments can stretch causing pain.[4]

Embryology

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

Blood supply

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

Additional images

See also

References

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

External links

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