Broad ligament of the uterus
Encyclopedia
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
.
surrounds the uterus
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
.
Peritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom — it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs — in amniotes and some invertebrates...
that connects the sides of 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...
to the walls and floor of the pelvis
Pelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
.
Subdivisions
The broad ligament may be divided into three subcomponents:- MesometriumMesometriumThe mesometrium is the mesentery of the uterus. It constitutes the majority of the broad ligament of the uterus, excluding only the portions adjacent to the uterine tube and ovary.It is adjacent to the mesosalpinx....
- the mesentery of the uterus; the largest portion of the broad ligament - MesosalpinxMesosalpinxThe mesosalpinx is part of the lining of the abdominal cavity in higher vertebrates, specifically the portion of the broad ligament that stretches from the ovary to the level of the uterine tube....
- the mesentery of the Fallopian tubeFallopian tubeThe Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated epithelia, leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus, via the utero-tubal junction... - MesovariumMesovariumThe mesovarium is the portion of the broad ligament of the uterus that covers the ovaries.At first the mesonephros and genital ridge are suspended by a common mesentery, but as the embryo grows the genital ridge gradually becomes pinched off from the mesonephros, with which it is at first...
- the mesentery of the ovaries.
Contents
The contents of the broad ligament include the following:- Reproductive
- Uterine tubes (or Fallopian tubeFallopian tubeThe Fallopian tubes, also known as oviducts, uterine tubes, and salpinges are two very fine tubes lined with ciliated epithelia, leading from the ovaries of female mammals into the uterus, via the utero-tubal junction...
) - ovary (some sources consider the ovary to be on the broad ligament, but not in it.)
- Uterine tubes (or Fallopian tube
- vessels
- ovarian arteryOvarian arteryIn human anatomy, the ovarian artery is a blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the ovary. It arises from the abdominal aorta below the renal artery, and does not pass out of the abdominal cavity. It can be found in the suspensory ligament of the ovary, anterior to the ovarian vein and...
(in the suspensory ligament) - uterine arteryUterine artery-Structure:The uterine artery usually arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. It travels to the uterus, crossing the ureter anteriorly, reaching the uterus by traveling in the cardinal ligament....
- ovarian artery
- ligaments
- ovarian ligamentOvarian ligamentThe ovarian ligament is a fibrous ligament that connects the ovary to the lateral surface of the uterus....
- round ligament of uterusRound ligament of uterusThe round ligament of the uterus originates at the uterine horns, in the parametrium. The round ligament leaves the pelvis via the deep inguinal ring, passes through the inguinal canal and continues on to the labia majora where its fibers spread and mix with the tissue of the mons...
- suspensory ligament of the ovarySuspensory ligament of the ovaryThe suspensory ligament of the ovary, also infundibulopelvic ligament , is a fold of peritoneum that extends out from the ovary to the wall of the pelvis....
(Some sources consider it a part of the broad ligament while other sources just consider it a "termination" of the ligament.)
- ovarian ligament
Structure
The peritoneumPeritoneum
The peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom — it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs — in amniotes and some invertebrates...
surrounds 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...
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
Mesosalpinx
The mesosalpinx is part of the lining of the abdominal cavity in higher vertebrates, specifically the portion of the broad ligament that stretches from the ovary to the level of the uterine tube....
.
