Female Pelvic Ligaments

What does the suspensory ligaments support?

Ovaries & fallopian tubes

Ovarian ligaments

Supports the ovaries medially and extends from the ovary to lateral surface of the uterus.

Are ligaments usually identified during a routine sonographic exam of the pelvis?

The majority of pelvic ligaments are not seen.

Mesovarium

The posterior portion of the broad ligaments that is drawn out to enclose the ovary.

Mesosalpinx

The upper portion of the broad ligament that encloses the fallopian tube as it extends from the cornua of the uterus.

What does the round ligaments support?

The uterine fundus & body in a forward position.

Where are the round ligaments located?

These two cords commerce on each side of the superior aspect of the uterus, course upward and lateral to the inguinal canal, insert into the labia majora.

Where are the broad ligaments located?

They extend from the lateral dudes of the uterus to the sidewalls of the pelvis.

Where are the suspensory ligaments located?

They extend from the ovaries to the pelvic side walls. From the infundibulum of the fallopian tube & ovary to the side wall of the pelvis.

Uterosacral ligaments

They originate at the lateral uterine isthmus & extend downward along the sides of the rectum to the 3rd & 4th bones of the sacrum. (Extends from uterus to sacrum)

What does the uterosacral ligament support?

Uterus & cervix

What does the broad ligaments support?

Uterus, fallopian tubes & ovaries.

Cardinal ligaments

A continuation of the broad ligaments that extend across the pelvic floor laterally. It houses the vasculature of the uterus.

Broad ligaments

A double fold of peritoneum that drapes over the fallopian tubes, uterus & ovaries. They contain the uterine blood vessels & nerves.

Suspensory ligament (of the ovaries)

A double fold of the peritoneum that contains the ovarian artery, ovarian vein, lymphatics & ovarian nerves.

Which ligaments firmly supports the cervix in its fixed position?

Cardinal and uterosacral ligaments

What does the cardinal ligament support?

Cervix

When surrounded by free fluid, what may the broad ligaments be identified as?

Echogenic structures extending from the lateral borders of the uterus bilaterally.

Round ligaments

Fibrous cords that cut in the front of & below the fallopian tubes between the layers of broad ligament.

Where are the cardinal ligaments located?

It extends from the lateral surface of the cervix to the lateral fornix of vagina.

Ligament

a short band of tough, flexible, fibrous connective tissue that connects two bones or cartilages or holds together a joint.