The cardinal ligament (also transverse cervical ligament, lateral cervical ligament,
or Mackenrodt's ligament
) is a
major ligament of the uterus formed as a thickening of connective tissue of the base of the
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.
Structure
Subdivisions
Contents
The contents of the broad ligament include the following:
* Reproduc ...
. It extends laterally (on either side) from the cervix and vaginal fornix to attach onto the lateral wall of the pelvis. The female ureter,
uterine artery
The uterine artery is an artery that supplies blood to the uterus in females.
Structure
The uterine artery usually arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. It travels to the uterus, crossing the ureter anteriorly, to the ut ...
, and
inferior hypogastric (nervous) plexus course within the cardinal ligament. The cardinal ligament supports the uterus.
Structure
The cardinal ligament is a paired structure on the lateral side of 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 ...
. It originates from the lateral part of the
cervix
The cervix (: cervices) or cervix uteri is a dynamic fibromuscular sexual organ of the female reproductive system that connects the vagina with the uterine cavity. The human female cervix has been documented anatomically since at least the time ...
.
Attachments
It attaches the
cervix
The cervix (: cervices) or cervix uteri is a dynamic fibromuscular sexual organ of the female reproductive system that connects the vagina with the uterine cavity. The human female cervix has been documented anatomically since at least the time ...
to the lateral pelvic wall by its attachment to the
obturator fascia
The obturator fascia, or fascia of the internal obturator muscle, covers the pelvic surface of that muscle and is attached around the margin of its origin.
Above, it is loosely connected to the back part of the arcuate line, and here it is conti ...
of the
obturator internus muscle
The internal obturator muscle or obturator internus muscle originates on the medial surface of the obturator membrane, the ischium near the membrane, and the rim of the pubis.
It exits the pelvic cavity through the lesser sciatic foramen.
The ...
.
It attaches to the
uterosacral ligament.
Relations
It is continuous externally with the fibrous tissue surrounding the pelvic blood vessels.
Function
The cardinal ligament supports the uterus, providing lateral stability to the cervix.
Clinical significance
The cardinal ligament may be affected in
hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and cervix. Supracervical hysterectomy refers to removal of the uterus while the cervix is spared. These procedures may also involve removal of the ovaries (oophorectomy), fallopian tubes ( salpi ...
.
Due to its 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
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*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cardinal Ligament
Mammal female reproductive system
Ligaments