The adnexa of uterus refers to the structures most closely related structurally and functionally to the uterus

Uterus

The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...

.

Terminology

It can be defined in slightly different ways:

• Some sources define it as the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

• It has also been described as the "Fallopian tubes, ovaries and supporting tissues".

• Another source defines it as the "regions of the true pelvis posterior to the broad ligaments".

• One dictionary includes the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and ligament
  Ligament
  In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...
  
  s (without specifying precisely which ligaments are included).

Clinical significance

The term "adnexitis" is sometimes used to describe an inflammation

Inflammation

Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...

 of the adnexa. In this context, it replaces the terms oophoritis

Oophoritis

Oophoritis is an inflammation of the ovaries.It is often seen in combination with salpingitis .-See also:* Pelvic inflammatory disease...

 and salpingitis

Salpingitis

Salpingitis is an infection and inflammation in the fallopian tubes. It is often used synonymously with Pelvic inflammatory disease , although PID lacks an accurate definition and can refer to several diseases of the female upper genital tract, such as endometritis, oophoritis, myometritis,...

.

The term adnexal mass

Adnexal mass

An adnexal mass is a lump in tissue of the adnexa of uterus, usually in the ovary or fallopian tube. Adnexal masses can be benign or cancerous.-Causes:...

 is sometimes used when the location of the mass is not yet more precisely known.

Term "Adnexectomy" in Gynaecology

Gynaecology

Gynaecology or gynecology is the medical practice dealing with the health of the female reproductive system . Literally, outside medicine, it means "the science of women"...

 is often used for Salpingo

Salpingectomy

Salpingectomy refers to the surgical removal of a Fallopian tube.-Indications:The procedure was first performed by Lawson Tait in patients with a bleeding ectopic pregnancy; this procedure has since saved the lives of countless women...

-Oophorectomy

Oophorectomy

Oophorectomy is the surgical removal of an ovary or ovaries. The surgery is also called ovariectomy, but this term has been traditionally used in basic science research describing the surgical removal of ovaries in laboratory animals...

(removal of both: fallopian tubes and ovaries).