Uterosacral ligament

The uterosacral ligaments (or rectouterine ligaments^[1]) are major ligaments of uterus that extend posterior-ward from the cervix to attach onto the (anterior aspect of the^[2]) sacrum.^[3]

Uterosacral ligament
Uterosacral ligament (in white color) connect between the sacrum and uterus.
Details
Identifiers
Latin	ligamentum rectouterinum[1]
TA98	A09.1.03.032
TA2	3840
FMA	19111
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

Microanatomy/histology

The uterosacral ligaments consist of fibrous connective tissue, and smooth muscle tissue.^[3]

Relations

The uterosacral ligaments pass inferior to the peritoneum. They embrace the rectouterine pouch, and rectum.^[3] The pelvic splanchnic nerves run on top^{[further explanation needed]} of the ligament.^[4]

Function

The uterosacral ligaments pull the cervix posterior-ward, counteracting the anterior-ward pull exerted by the round ligament of uterus upon the fundus of the uterus, thus maintaining anteversion of the body of the uterus.^[3]

Clinical significance

The uterosacral ligaments may be palpated during a rectal examination, but not during pelvic examination.^[3]

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1260 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

1. "Anatonomina". www.terminologia-anatomica.org. Retrieved 2023-06-22.
2. Drake, Richard L.; Vogl, Wayne; Tibbitts, Adam W.M. Mitchell; illustrations by Richard; Richardson, Paul (2005). Gray's anatomy for students. Philadelphia: Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone. p. 417. ISBN 978-0-8089-2306-0.
3. Sinnatamby, Chummy (2011). Last's Anatomy (12th ed.). Elsevier Australia. p. 304. ISBN 978-0-7295-3752-0.
4. Daftary (2011). Manual of Obstetrics, 3/e. Elsevier. pp. 1–16. ISBN 978-81-312-2556-1.