Round ligament of uterus

The round ligament of the uterus is a ligament that connects the uterus to the labia majora.

Round ligament of the uterus
Cross-section through the pelvis of a newly born female child. (Round ligament labelled at upper right.)
Details
Precursorlower gubernaculum[1]
Arteryuterine artery, artery of round ligament of uterus
Identifiers
Latinligamentum teres uteri
MeSHD012404
TA98A09.1.03.029
TA23835
FMA20420
Anatomical terminology

Structure

The round ligament of the uterus originates at the uterine horns, in the parametrium. The round ligament exits the pelvis via the deep inguinal ring.[2] It passes through the inguinal canal, and continues on to the labia majora.[3][4] At the labia majora, its fibers spread and mix with the tissue of the mons pubis.

Development

The round ligament develops from the gubernaculum which attaches the gonad to the labioscrotal swellings in the embryo.[1]

Blood supply

The round ligament is supplied by the artery of the round ligament, otherwise known as "Sampson's artery."

Function

The function of the round ligament is maintenance of the anteflexion of the uterus (a position where the fundus of the uterus is turned forward at the junction of cervix and vagina) during pregnancy. Normally, the cardinal ligament is what supports the uterine angle (angle of anteversion). When the uterus grows during pregnancy, the round ligaments can stretch causing pain.[5]

Additional images
  • Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view.
  • Female pelvis and its contents, seen from above and in front.
  • Round ligament of uterus
  • Round ligament of uterus

See also

References
  1. Swiss embryology (from UL, UB, and UF) ugenital/diffmorpho05
  2. Anatomy photo:43:03-0201 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "The Female Pelvis: The Broad Ligament"
  3. Anatomy photo:36:03-0105 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Inguinal Region, Scrotum and Testes: The Internal Surface of the Anterior Abdominal Wall"
  4. Bellier, A.; Cavalié, G.; Marnas, G.; Chaffanjon, P. (2018-06-01). "The round ligament of the uterus: Questioning its distal insertion". Morphologie. 102 (337): 55–60. doi:10.1016/j.morpho.2018.04.001. ISSN 1286-0115.
  5. "Pregnancy-Round Ligament Pain". webMD.com. Retrieved 2008-01-27.
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