The uterine appendages (or adnexa of uterus) are the structures most closely related structurally and functionally to the

uterus The uterus (from Latin ''uterus'', : uteri or uteruses) or womb () is the hollow organ, organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans, that accommodates the embryonic development, embryonic and prenatal development, f ...

Terminology

They can be defined in slightly different ways: * Some sources define the adnexa as the

fallopian tubes The fallopian tubes, also known as uterine tubes, oviducts or salpinges (: salpinx), are paired tubular sex organs in the human female body that stretch from the ovaries to the uterus. The fallopian tubes are part of the female reproductive sy ...

and

ovaries The ovary () is a gonad in the female reproductive system that produces ova; when released, an ovum travels through the fallopian tube/oviduct into the uterus. There is an ovary on the left and the right side of the body. The ovaries are endocr ...

. * Others include the supporting tissues". * Another source defines the appendages as the "regions of the

true pelvis The pelvic cavity is a body cavity that is bounded by the bones of the pelvis. Its oblique roof is the pelvic inlet (the superior opening of the pelvis). Its lower boundary is the pelvic floor. The pelvic cavity primarily contains the reproduct ...

posterior to the broad ligaments". * One dictionary includes the

, and

ligament A ligament is a type of fibrous connective tissue in the body that connects bones to other bones. It also connects flight feathers to bones, in dinosaurs and birds. All 30,000 species of amniotes (land animals with internal bones) have liga ...

s (without specifying precisely which ligaments are included).

Clinical significance

The term "adnexitis" is sometimes used to describe an

inflammation Inflammation (from ) is part of the biological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. The five cardinal signs are heat, pain, redness, swelling, and loss of function (Latin ''calor'', '' ...

of the uterine appendages (adnexa). In this context, it replaces the terms

oophoritis Oophoritis is an inflammation of the ovaries. It is often seen in combination with salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes). It may develop in response to infection. Oophoritis is typically caused by a bacterial infection, and may result ...

and

salpingitis Salpingitis is an infection causing inflammation in the fallopian tubes (also called ''salpinges''). It is often included in the umbrella term of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), along with endometritis, oophoritis, myometritis, parametritis ...

. The term adnexal mass is sometimes used when the location of a uterine mass is not yet more precisely known. 63% of

ectopic pregnancies Ectopic pregnancy is a Complications of pregnancy, complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus. Signs and symptoms classically include abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, but fewer than 50 percent of affected women ...

present with an adnexal mass. Depending on the size of the mass, it could be a medical emergency. The term "adnexectomy" in

gynaecology Gynaecology or gynecology (see American and British English spelling differences) is the area of medicine concerned with conditions affecting the female reproductive system. It is often paired with the field of obstetrics, which focuses on pre ...

is often used for salpingo-

oophorectomy Oophorectomy (; from Greek , , 'egg-bearing' and , , 'a cutting out of'), historically also called ''ovariotomy'', is the surgical removal of an ovary or ovaries. The surgery is also called ovariectomy, but this term is mostly used in reference ...

(removal of both: fallopian tubes and ovaries).

Additional images

File:Illu ovary.jpg, Ovary

References

{{Authority control Mammal female reproductive system

Terminology

Clinical significance

Additional images

See also

References