- Broad ligament of the uterus
Infobox Ligament
Name = Broad ligament of the uterus
Latin = ligamentum latum uteri
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Caption =Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind. (Broad ligament visible at center.)
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DorlandsPre = l_09
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The broad ligament of the uterus is the wide fold ofperitoneum that connects the sides of theuterus to the walls and floor of thepelvis .ubdivisions
The broad ligament may be divided into three subcomponents: [EmbryologySwiss|ugenital/diffmorpho05]
*Mesometrium - the mesentery of the uterus; the largest portion of the broad ligament
*Mesosalpinx - the part that surrounds theuterine tube
*Mesovarium - the part that surrounds theovary Contents
The contents of the broad ligament include the following: [NormanAnatomy|pelvis (NormanAnatomyFig|uterus, NormanAnatomyFig|broadligament)]
* Reproductive
**Fallopian tube
** ovary (some sources consider the ovary to be on the broad ligament, but not in it.)cite book |author=Kyung Won, PhD. Chung |title=Gross Anatomy (Board Review) |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |location=Hagerstown, MD |year=2005 |pages=273 |isbn=0-7817-5309-0 |oclc= |doi=]
* vessels
**ovarian artery (is a suspensory ligament)cite web |url=http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/part_6/chapter_35.html |title=Chapter 35: Female genitalia |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work=]
**uterine artery
* ligaments
**ovarian ligament
**round ligament of uterus
**suspensory ligament of the ovary (Some sources consider consider it a part of the broad ligament while other sources just consider it a "termination" of the ligament.SUNYAnatomyLabs|43|03|03|00] )tructure
The
peritoneum surrounds theuterus 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 tube s running between the two layers; this part is known as themesosalpinx .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.
=Additionalee also
*
Cardinal ligament
*Pelvic diaphragm
*Parametrium References
External links
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* - Mammal, female overview (Gross, Medium)"
* [http://www.med.mun.ca/anatomyts/repro/ovlig.gifDiagram at med.mun.ca]
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