Cardinal ligaments

Cardinal ligament
Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view. (Cardinal ligament not visible, but location can be inferred from position of uterine artery and uterine vein.)
Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind. (Cardinal ligament not labeled, but broad ligament visible at center.)
Details
Identifiers
Latin	ligamentum cardinale, ligamentum transversum cervicis, ligamentum transversalis colli
TA	A09.1.03.031
FMA	77064
Anatomical terminology []

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 human body.

It attaches the cervix 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 may be of clinical significance in hysterectomy, due to its close proximity to the ureters, which can get damaged during ligation of the ligament.

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