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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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.

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 the uterine tube
* Mesovarium - the part that surrounds the ovary

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 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.

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.

=Additional

ee also

* Cardinal ligament
* Pelvic diaphragm
* Parametrium

References

External links

*
*
* - Mammal, female overview (Gross, Medium)"
* [http://www.med.mun.ca/anatomyts/repro/ovlig.gifDiagram at med.mun.ca]
*