Synonyms
uterine ligaments, ligamenta uteri
Introduction
Depending on the source, the so-called maternal ligaments are either all the ligaments that stabilize the uterus or only those that cause painful symptoms, primarily when the ligaments are stretched, e.g. as a result of pregnancy. These are the round maternal ligament (Ligamentum teres uteri) and the broad maternal ligament (Ligamentum latum uteri). The uterine ligaments hold the uterus in an upright position in any position.
These are the round uterine ligament (Ligamentum teres uteri) and the broad uterine ligament (Ligamentum latum uteri). The uterine ligaments hold the uterus in an upright position in any position. The round uterine ligament (Ligamentum teres uteri), along with many other ligaments that stabilize the uterus, belongs to the so-called parametric ligaments (pelvic connective tissue that surrounds the uterus on all sides and is attached to the pelvic wall and bladder).
The round uterine ligament runs on both sides from an angle between the uterus and the ovaries (tube angle) through the inguinal canal (Canalis inguinalis) and finally into the labia majora pudenda. The ligament is accompanied by an artery (vessel that pumps oxygen-rich blood into the body). This artery is called Arteria ligamenti teretis uteri.
The broad mother ligament (Ligamentum latum uteri) is, like the round mother ligament, also part of the parametries. It consists of solid connective tissue, more precisely of a doubling (duplication) of the peritoneum. The ligament covers the uterus from behind and connects it to the lateral pelvic wall.
The broad uterine ligament can be divided into three sections: the mesometrium, which connects the uterus with the pelvic wall, the mesosalpinx, which connects the fallopian tubes (tubae uterinae) with the pelvic wall, and the mesovarium, which connects the ovaries with the pelvic wall. Within the broad maternal ligament, the ovaries lie embedded in the ovarian ligament (Ligamentum ovarii proprium). The vessel supplying the ovary with blood (Arteria ovarica) can be recognized within the so-called Ligamentum suspensorium ovarii. In addition, the vessel that supplies the uterus with blood is located within the so-called Ligamentum cardinale (Mackenroth ligament) at the lower edge of the broad uterine ligament (Arteria Uterina). In addition to the above-mentioned structures, the pelvic connective tissue surrounding the uterus (parametries) consists of a connecting ligament between the uterus and the bladder (vesicouterine ligament) and a connective tissue ligament between the sacrum and the uterus (sacrouterine ligament).
All articles in this series: