Round ligament of uterus
Encyclopedia
The round ligament of the uterus originates at the uterine horns
, in the parametrium
. The round ligament leaves the pelvis
via the deep inguinal ring
, passes through the inguinal canal
and continues on to the labia majora
where its fibers spread and mix with the tissue of the mons pubis
.
of the uterus (a position where the fundus
of the uterus leans ventrally) 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.
which attaches the gonad to the labioscrotal swellings in the embryo
.
Uterine horns
The uterine horns are the points where the uterus and the fallopian tubes meet. They are one of the points of attachment for the round ligament of uterus ....
, in the parametrium
Parametrium
In women, the supravaginal portion of the cervix is separated in front from the bladder by fibrous tissue, the parametrium , which extends also on to its sides and laterally between the layers of the broad ligaments....
. The round ligament leaves the pelvis
Pelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
via the deep inguinal ring
Deep inguinal ring
The deep inguinal ring is the entrance to the inguinal canal.-Location:...
, passes through the inguinal canal
Inguinal canal
The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior abdominal wall which in men conveys the spermatic cord and in women the round ligament. The inguinal canal is larger and more prominent in men.-Site:...
and continues on to the labia majora
Labia majora
The labia majora are two prominent longitudinal cutaneous folds that extend downward and backward from the mons pubis to the perineum and form the lateral boundaries of the pudendal cleft, which contains the labia minora, interlabial sulci, clitoral hood, clitoral glans, frenulum clitoridis, the...
where its fibers spread and mix with the tissue of the mons pubis
Mons pubis
In human anatomy or in mammals in general, the mons pubis , also known as the mons veneris or simply the mons, is the adipose tissue lying above the pubic bone of adult females, anterior to the pubic symphysis...
.
Function
The function of the round ligament is maintenance of the anteversionAnteversion
Anteversion and retroversion are complementary anatomical terms of location, describing the degree to which an anatomical structure is rotated forwards or backwards respectively, relative to some datum position.More specifically, neck anteversion is a neck tilted further forward than normal.A...
of the uterus (a position where the fundus
Fundus (uterus)
The fundus of the uterus is the top portion, opposite from the cervix.Fundal height, measured from the top of the pubic bone, is routinely measured in pregnancy to determine growth rates...
of the uterus leans ventrally) during pregnancy. Normally, the cardinal ligament
Cardinal ligament
The cardinal ligament is a major ligament of the uterus. It is located at the base of the broad ligament of the uterus. Importantly, it contains the uterine artery and uterine vein...
is what supports the uterine angle (angle of anteversion). When the uterus grows during pregnancy
Pregnancy
Pregnancy refers to the fertilization and development of one or more offspring, known as a fetus or embryo, in a woman's uterus. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations, as in the case of twins or triplets...
, the round ligaments can stretch causing pain.
Embryology
The round ligament develops from the gubernaculumGubernaculum
The paired Gubernacula are embryonic structures which begin as undifferentiated mesenchyme attaching to the caudal end of the gonads .-Function during development:...
which attaches the gonad to the labioscrotal swellings in the embryo
Embryo
An embryo is a multicellular diploid eukaryote in its earliest stage of development, from the time of first cell division until birth, hatching, or germination...
.