Jump to content

Uterosacral ligament

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Rectouterine ligament)
Uterosacral ligament
Uterosacral ligament (in white color) connect between the sacrum and uterus.
Details
Identifiers
Latinligamentum rectouterinum[1]
TA98A09.1.03.032
TA23840
FMA19111
Anatomical terminology

The uterosacral ligaments (or rectouterine ligaments[1]) are major ligaments of uterus that extend posterior-ward from the cervix to attach onto the (anterior aspect of the[2]) sacrum.[3]

Structure

[edit]

Microanatomy/histology

[edit]

The uterosacral ligaments consist of fibrous connective tissue, and smooth muscle tissue.[3]

Relations

[edit]

The uterosacral ligaments pass inferior to the peritoneum. They embrace the rectouterine pouch, and rectum.[3] The pelvic splanchnic nerves run on top[further explanation needed] of the ligament.[4]

Function

[edit]

The uterosacral ligaments pull the cervix posterior-ward, counteracting the anterior-ward pull exerted by the round ligament of uterus upon the fundus of the uterus, thus maintaining anteversion of the body of the uterus.[3]

Clinical significance

[edit]

The uterosacral ligaments may be palpated during a rectal examination, but not during pelvic examination.[3]

References

[edit]

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1260 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. ^ a b "Anatonomina". www.terminologia-anatomica.org. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  2. ^ Drake, Richard L.; Vogl, Wayne; Tibbitts, Adam W.M. Mitchell; illustrations by Richard; Richardson, Paul (2005). Gray's anatomy for students. Philadelphia: Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone. p. 417. ISBN 978-0-8089-2306-0.
  3. ^ a b c d e Sinnatamby, Chummy (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). Elsevier Australia. p. 304. ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
  4. ^ Daftary (2011). Manual of Obstetrics, 3/e. Elsevier. pp. 1–16. ISBN 978-81-312-2556-1.