Uterosacral_ligament

Uterosacral ligament

Uterosacral ligament

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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]

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Structure

Microanatomy/histology

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

Relations

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

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

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

References

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

  1. [1]
    "Anatonomina". www.terminologia-anatomica.org. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
  2. [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. [3]
    Sinnatamby, Chummy (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). p. 304. ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
  4. [4]
    Daftary (2011). Manual of Obstetrics, 3/e. Elsevier. pp. 1–16. ISBN 978-81-312-2556-1.
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