What are the uterine ligaments?

The uterus contains not only cervical membrane and soft tissue, but also uterine ligaments. These ligaments maintain the normal growth of the uterus and are suspended in our body. If the ligaments relax, the uterus will begin to sag. Many women experience cervical prolapse after childbirth due to ligament relaxation. What exactly do the uterine ligaments include?

English name: cardinal ligament of uterus

It is a bundle of fibrous connective tissue and smooth muscle fibers between the two layers of peritoneum below the broad ligament of the uterus. It is relatively strong and connects the upper part of the cervix and vagina to the side wall of the pelvis. It is the main structure for maintaining the normal position of the cervix and preventing it from prolapse downward.

Sacro-uterine ligament

English Name: sacrouterine ligament

It is composed of smooth muscle and connective tissue, starting from the back of the upper part of the cervix and vagina, going back around both sides of the rectum, and ending in front of the sacrum. The surface of this ligament is covered with peritoneum, forming an arc-shaped fold called the rectouterine fold. This ligament pulls the cervix posteriorly and superiorly, and together with the round ligament of the uterus maintains the anteversion and flexion position of the uterus.

Broad ligament of uterus

English name: broad ligament of uterus

The double-layer peritoneal folds located on both sides of the uterus are wing-shaped. They are formed by the peritoneum covering the anterior and posterior walls of the uterus extending from the side edges of the uterus to both sides to the pelvic wall, which can limit the uterus from tipping to the sides. The broad ligament is divided into two leaves, anterior and posterior. Its upper edge is free, the inner 2/3 wraps the fallopian tube (the umbrella part is not covered by peritoneum), and the outer 1/3 transforms into the infundibulopelvic ligament or suspensory ligament of ovary, through which the ovarian artery and vein pass.

The broad ligament below the fallopian tube and above the attachment of the ovary is called the mesosalpinx, which contains connective tissue and the remains of the mesonephric duct. The junction between the ovary and the posterior lobe of the broad ligament is called the ovarian mesentery. The slightly thickened broad ligament between the inner side of the ovary and the uterine horn is called the ovarian proper ligament or ovarian ligament. The broad ligaments on both sides of the uterus are rich in blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic vessels and a large amount of loose connective tissue called parauterine tissue. The uterine arteries and veins and the ureters pass through the base of the broad ligament.