Broad ligament of uterus

Broad ligament of the uterus
Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind. (Broad ligament visible at center.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	ligamentum latum uteri
TA	A10.1.02.505F
FMA	16516
Anatomical terminology []

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.

The broad ligament may be divided into three subcomponents:

The contents of the broad ligament include the following:

The peritoneum surrounds the uterus like a flat sheet that folds over its fundus, covering it anteriorly and posteriorly; on the sides of the uterus, this sheet of peritoneum comes in direct contact with itself, forming the double layer of peritoneum known as the broad ligament of the uterus.

The part where this peritoneal sheet is folded (i.e. the free edge) has the uterine tubes running between the two layers; this part is known as the mesosalpinx.

The broad ligament serves as a mesentery for the uterus, ovaries, and the uterine tubes. It helps in maintaining the uterus in its position, but it is not a major contributing factor.

Broad ligament of adult, showing epoöphoron.

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)