The cardinal ligament is a major ligament of the uterus. It is located at the base of the broad ligament of the uterus

Broad ligament of the uterus

The broad ligament of the uterus is the wide fold of peritoneum that connects the sides of the uterus to the walls and floor of the pelvis.-Subdivisions:The broad ligament may be divided into three subcomponents:...

. Importantly, it contains the uterine artery

Uterine artery

-Structure:The uterine artery usually arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. It travels to the uterus, crossing the ureter anteriorly, reaching the uterus by traveling in the cardinal ligament....

 and uterine vein. There is a pair of cardinal ligaments in the female human body.

It attaches the cervix

Cervix

The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus where it joins with the top end of the vagina. It is cylindrical or conical in shape and protrudes through the upper anterior vaginal wall...

 to the lateral pelvic wall at the ischial spine

Ischial spine

From the posterior border of the body of the Ischium there extends backward a thin and pointed triangular eminence, the ischial spine, more or less elongated in different subjects.It can serve as a landmark in pudendal anesthesia.-Surfaces:...

, and is continuous externally with the fibrous tissue that surrounds the pelvic blood vessels. It thus provides support to the uterus.

It may be of clinical significance in hysterectomy

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually performed by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total or partial...

, due to its close proximity to the ureters, which can get damaged during ligation of the ligament.