Suspensory ligament of ovary

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Suspensory ligament of the ovary
Gray1161.png
Uterus and ovary, seen from behind. The suspensory ligament of the ovary (not labeled) is shown incompletely and in section; it surrounds the ovarian vessels (labeled).
Details
Precursor Upper gubernaculum [1]
FromUpper pole of ovary and infundibulum of fallopian tube
ToLateral wall of the pelvis
Identifiers
Latin ligamentum suspensorium ovarii
TA98 A09.1.01.018F
TA2 3805
FMA 19822
Anatomical terminology

The suspensory ligament of the ovary, also infundibulopelvic ligament (commonly abbreviated IP ligament or simply IP), is a fold of peritoneum [2] that extends out from the ovary to the wall of the pelvis.

Contents

Some sources consider it a part of the broad ligament of uterus [3] while other sources just consider it a "termination" of the ligament. [4] It is not considered a true ligament in that it does not physically support any anatomical structures; however it is an important landmark and it houses the ovarian vessels.

The suspensory ligament is directed upward over the iliac vessels.

Structure

It contains the ovarian artery, ovarian vein, [2] ovarian nerve plexus, [5] and lymphatic vessels. [4]

Composition

The suspensory ligament of the ovary is one continuous tissue that connects the ovary to the wall of the pelvis. There are separate names for the two regions of this tissue.

In sum, the suspensory ligament consists of a single connective tissue that has different regional notations, the peritoneum and the broad ligament.

Peritoneal relationship

pelvic inlet Gray240.png
pelvic inlet

Most of the abdominal cavity is lined by a double-membranous sac called peritoneum . The interior is called the peritoneal cavity, this is the location of all 'intra-peritoneal' organs (disambiguation: retro-peritoneal organs). The most inferior extent of the peritoneum covers the pelvic inlet; in females, this region of the peritoneum is referred to as the 'broad ligament'.

Development

The suspensory ligament originates from the mesonephros, which, in turn, originates from intermediate mesoderm.

The prenatal development of the suspensory ligament of the ovary is a part of the development of the reproductive system.

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gubernaculum</span> Embryonic structure

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The lesser omentum is the double layer of peritoneum that extends from the liver to the lesser curvature of the stomach, and to the first part of the duodenum. The lesser omentum is usually divided into these two connecting parts: the hepatogastric ligament, and the hepatoduodenal ligament.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ovarian vein</span>

The ovarian vein, the female gonadal vein, carries deoxygenated blood from its corresponding ovary to inferior vena cava or one of its tributaries. It is the female equivalent of the testicular vein, and is the venous counterpart of the ovarian artery. It can be found in the suspensory ligament of the ovary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ovarian ligament</span>

The ovarian ligament is a fibrous ligament that connects the ovary to the lateral surface of the uterus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perimetrium</span>

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The paracolic gutters are peritoneal recesses – spaces between the colon and the abdominal wall.

The development of the gonads is part of the prenatal development of the reproductive system and ultimately forms the testicles in males and the ovaries in females. The immature ova originate from cells from the dorsal endoderm of the yolk sac. Once they have reached the gonadal ridge they are called oogonia. Development proceeds and the oogonia become fully surrounded by a layer of connective tissue cells. In this way, the rudiments of the ovarian follicles are formed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaginal support structures</span> Structures that maintain the position of the vagina within the pelvic cavity

The vaginal support structures are those muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, membranes and fascia, of the pelvic floor that maintain the position of the vagina within the pelvic cavity and allow the normal functioning of the vagina and other reproductive structures in the female. Defects or injuries to these support structures in the pelvic floor leads to pelvic organ prolapse. Anatomical and congenital variations of vaginal support structures can predispose a woman to further dysfunction and prolapse later in life. The urethra is part of the anterior wall of the vagina and damage to the support structures there can lead to incontinence and urinary retention.

References

PD-icon.svgThis article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1254 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. Swiss embryology (from UL, UB, and UF) ugenital/diffmorpho05
  2. 1 2 pelvis at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
  3. "Suspensory ligament" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  4. 1 2 Anatomy photo:43:03-0300 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
  5. suspensory+ligament+of+ovary at eMedicine Dictionary