Uterosacral ligament

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

Uterosacral ligament
Uterosacral ligament (in white color) connect between the sacrum and uterus.
Details
Identifiers
Latinligamentum rectouterinum
TA98A09.1.03.032
TA23840
FMA19111
Anatomical terminology

Anatomy

Microanatomy/histology

The uterosacral ligaments consist of fibrous connective tissue, and smooth muscle tissue.[2]

Relations

The uterosacral ligaments pass inferior to the peritoneum. They embrace the rectouterine pouch, and rectum.[2] The pelvic splanchnic nerves run on top of the ligament.[3]

Function

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.[2]

Clinical significance

The uterosacral ligaments may be palpated during a rectal examination, but not during pelvic examination.[2]

References

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

  1. 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.
  2. Sinnatamby, Chummy (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). p. 304. ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
  3. Daftary (2011). Manual of Obstetrics, 3/e. Elsevier. pp. 1–16. ISBN 978-81-312-2556-1.
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