Ligaments of the female reproductive tract Flashcards
what are ligaments of the female reproductive tract?
a series of structures that support the internal female genitalia in the pelvis
what are the categories of the female reproductive tract?
broad ligament
uterine ligaments
ovarian ligaments
what is the broad ligament?
a sheet of peritoneum, associated with both the uterus and ovaries
what are uterine ligaments?
ligaments primarily associated with the uterus
what are ovarian ligaments?
ligaments primary associated with the ovaries
collectively, how are the ligaments of the female reproductive tract like?
ligaments are tough and non-extensible
what do the ligaments of the female reproductive tract act to do?
support the female viscera and provide a conduit for neurovascular structures
what is the broad ligament?
a flat sheet of peritoneum, associated with the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries
where does the broad ligament extend from?
from the lateral pelvic walls on both sides
where does the broad ligament fold over?
the internal female genitalia, covering their surface anteriorly and posteriorly
how can the broad ligament be divided anatomically?
3 regions:
Mesometrium
Mesovarium
Mesosalpinx
what is the mesometrium?
Surrounds the uterus and is the largest subsection of the broad ligament
where does the mesometrium run? (largest section of broad ligament)
It runs laterally to cover the external iliac vessels, forming a distinct fold over them
what does the mesometrium also enclose?
the proximal part of the round ligament of the uterus
What is the Mesovarium?
Part of the broad ligament associated with the ovaries
where does the Mesovarium project from? attaches?
It projects from the posterior surface of the broad ligament and attaches to the hilum of the ovary, enclosing its neurovascular supply
does the mesovarium cover the ovary?
NO
where does the Mesosalpinx originate?
Originates superiorly to the mesovarium
what does the Mesosalpinx encloes?
fallopian tubes
arterial supply of uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries?
uterine and ovarian arteries
where are the uterine and ovarian arteries contained within?
contained within the broad ligament
where are the other ligaments of the female reproductive tract located?
within the broad ligament
what are the ligaments supporting the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries located within the broad ligament?
Ovarian ligament
Round ligament of uterus
Suspensory ligament of ovary
what is the suspensory ligament of ovary also known as?
the infundibulopelvic ligament
which 2 ligaments attach to the ovaries?
the ovarian ligament and suspensory ligament of ovary
where does the ovarian ligament attach to the ovary?
The ovarian ligament is attached to the ovary inferiorly
what does the ovarian ligament connect the ovary to?
to the side of the uterus
structurally, what is the ovarian ligament?
a fibrous band of tissue that lies within the broad ligament
where does the ovarian ligament join the uterus?
just below the origin of the fallopian tubes
where does the suspensory ligament of the ovary extend?
extends outwards from the ovary to the lateral abdominal wall
what does the suspensory ligament of the ovary consist of?
a fold of peritoneum, thus some sources consider it to be part of the broad ligament
what is the function of the suspensory ligament of the ovary?
to contain the ovarian vessels and nerves (ovarian artery, ovarian vein, ovarian nerve plexus and lymphatic vessels)
