Cardinal ligament
| 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 |
| TA98 | A09.1.03.031 A09.1.03.022 |
| TA2 | 3839 |
| FMA | 77064 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
The cardinal ligament (also transverse cervical ligament, lateral cervical ligament,
Structure
The cardinal ligament is a paired structure on the lateral side of the uterus. It originates from the lateral part of the cervix.[3]
Attachments
It attaches the cervix to the lateral pelvic wall by its attachment to the obturator fascia of the obturator internus muscle.[4] It attaches to the uterosacral ligament.[3]
Relations
It is continuous externally with the fibrous tissue surrounding the pelvic blood vessels.[4]
Function
The cardinal ligament supports the uterus, providing lateral stability to the cervix.[1]
Clinical significance
The cardinal ligament may be affected in hysterectomy.[5][6] 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.[3]
See also
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1261 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
- ISBN 1-4160-3699-7.
- ^ PMID 15522564.
- ^ ISBN 0-7817-5309-0.
- S2CID 43367709.
- PMID 14711985.
External links
- figures/chapter_35/35-5.HTM: Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School
- part_6/chapter_35.html: Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School
