Broad ligament of the uterus 4697184 217273934 2008-06-05T09:55:39Z 60.230.237.26 {{Infobox Ligament | Name = Broad ligament of the uterus | Latin = ligamentum latum uteri | GraySubject = 268| GrayPage = 1259 | Image = Gray1161.png | Caption = [[Uterus]] and right broad ligament, seen from behind. (Broad ligament visible at center.) | Image2 = | Caption2 = | From = | To = | MeshName = | MeshNumber = | DorlandsPre = l_09 | DorlandsSuf = 12492509 | }} 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]]. ==Subdivisions== The broad ligament may be divided into three subcomponents:<ref>{{EmbryologySwiss|ugenital/diffmorpho05}}</ref> * [[Mesometrium]] - the mesentery of the uterus; the largest portion of the broad ligament * [[Mesosalpinx]] - the part that surrounds the [[uterine tube]] * [[Mesovarium]] - the part that surrounds the [[ovary]] ==Contents== The contents of the broad ligament include the following:<ref>{{NormanAnatomy|pelvis}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|uterus}}, {{NormanAnatomyFig|broadligament}})</ref> * Reproductive ** [[Fallopian tube]] ** [[ovary]] (some sources consider the ovary to be on the broad ligament, but not in it.)<ref name="isbn0-7817-5309-0">{{cite book |author=Kyung Won, PhD. Chung |title=Gross Anatomy (Board Review) |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |location=Hagerstwon, MD |year=2005 |pages=273 |isbn=0-7817-5309-0 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> * vessels ** [[ovarian artery]] (is in suspensory ligament)<ref name="titleChapter 35: Female genitalia">{{cite web |url=http://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/part_6/chapter_35.html |title=Chapter 35: Female genitalia |accessdate=2007-12-09 |format= |work=}}</ref> ** [[uterine artery]] * ligaments ** [[ovarian ligament]] ** [[round ligament of uterus]] ** [[suspensory ligament of the ovary]] (Some sources consider consider it a part of the broad ligament<ref>{{Dorlands|l_09|12493199}}</ref> while other sources just consider it a "termination" of the ligament.<ref name="SUNY">{{SUNYAnatomyLabs|43|03|03|00}}</ref>) ==Structure== The [[peritoneum]] surrounds the [[uterus]] is 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 tube]]s running between the two layers; this part is known as the [[mesosalpinx]]. ==Function== The broad ligament serves as a mesentery for the uterus, ovaries, and the uterine tubes. It helps in maintaining the uterus in its position. ==Additional images== <gallery> Image:Gray1108.png|Broad ligament of adult, showing epoöphoron. </gallery> ==See also== * [[Cardinal ligament]] * [[Pelvic diaphragm]] * [[Parametrium]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyImage|9|6|71}} * {{SUNYAnatomyImage|9|7|83}} * {{UCDavisOrganology|Reproductive/mammal/femalesys1/femalesys6}} - Mammal, female overview (Gross, Medium)" * [http://www.med.mun.ca/anatomyts/repro/ovlig.gif Diagram at med.mun.ca] * {{DartmouthHumanAnatomy|figures/chapter_35/35-2.HTM}} {{Gray's}} {{Female reproductive system}} {{Peritoneum}} [[Category:Ligaments]] {{ligament-stub}} [[es:Ligamento ancho del útero]] [[pl:Więzadło szerokie macicy]]