The cardinal ligament (or Mackenrodt's ligament,
lateral cervical ligament, or transverse cervical ligament) is a
major ligament of the uterus. It is located at the base of the
broad ligament of the uterus. There are a pair of cardinal ligaments in the
female
Female ( symbol: ♀) is the sex of an organism that produces the large non-motile ova (egg cells), the type of gamete (sex cell) that fuses with the male gamete during sexual reproduction.
A female has larger gametes than a male. Fema ...
human body.
Structure
The cardinal ligament is a paired structure on the lateral side of the
uterus
The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', plural ''uteri'') or womb () is the organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans that accommodates the embryonic and fetal development of one or more embryos until birth. The ...
. It originates from the lateral part of the
cervix
The cervix or cervix uteri (Latin, 'neck of the uterus') is the lower part of the uterus (womb) in the human female reproductive system. The cervix is usually 2 to 3 cm long (~1 inch) and roughly cylindrical in shape, which changes during ...
.
It attaches to the
uterosacral ligament.
It attaches the
cervix
The cervix or cervix uteri (Latin, 'neck of the uterus') is the lower part of the uterus (womb) in the human female reproductive system. The cervix is usually 2 to 3 cm long (~1 inch) and roughly cylindrical in shape, which changes during ...
to the lateral pelvic wall by its attachment to the Obturator fascia of the Obturator internus muscle, and is continuous externally with the fibrous tissue that surrounds the pelvic blood vessels. It thus provides support to the uterus.
It carries the uterine arteries to provide the primary blood supply to the uterus.
Clinical significance
The cardinal ligament may be affected in
hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. It may also involve removal of the cervix, ovaries ( oophorectomy), Fallopian tubes ( salpingectomy), and other surrounding structures.
Usually performed by a gynecologist, a hysterectomy may b ...
.
Due to its close proximity to the ureters, it can get damaged during ligation of the ligament. It is routinely cut during some uterine operations, although this can have side effects.
See also
*
Pelvic splanchnic nerves
Pelvic splanchnic nerves or nervi erigentes are splanchnic nerves that arise from sacral spinal nerves S2, S3, S4 to provide parasympathetic innervation to the organs of the pelvic cavity.
Structure
The pelvic splanchnic nerves arise from th ...
References
External links
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cardinal Ligament
Mammal female reproductive system
Ligaments