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, or Mackenrodt's ligament) is a major ligament of the uterus formed as a thickening of connective tissue of the base of the broad ligament of the uterus. It extends laterally (on either side) from the cervix and vaginal fornix to attach onto the lateral wall of the pelvis. The female ureter, uterine artery, and inferior hypogastric (nervous) plexus course within the cardinal ligament. The cardinal ligament supports the uterus.