Uterus

uterus .jpg

The uterus is a muscular organ located in the female pelvic region. It is a reproductive organ that functions for the maintenance and transport of gametes.

Anatomically the uterus is positioned anterior to the rectum and posterosuperiorly to the urinary bladder.

The parts of the uterus can be categorized as:


The uterus is supported by the following structure:

  1. Pelvic diaphragm (levator ani muscles)

  2. Urogenital diaphragm

  3. Urinary bladder

  4. Round ligament of the uterus

  5. Transverse cervical ligament which extends laterally from the cervix to the side wall of the pelvis. It is located at the base of the broad ligament and contains the uterine artery (a branch of the internal iliac artery).

  6. Uterosacral ligament which extends posteriorly from the cervix to the sacrum and is responsible for bracing the uterus in its normal anteverted position

  7. Pubocervical ligament which extends anteriorly from the cervix to the pubic symphysis and helps to prevent a cystocele (a herniation of the urinary bladder into the anterior wall of the vagina)

  8. Broad ligament:

    • This is a double fold of parietal peritoneum, which extends laterally from the uterus to the side wall of the pelvis

    • it is divided into four regions: mesosalpinx (which supports the uterine tubes), mesovarium (which supports the ovary), mesometrium (which supports the uterus), and the suspensory ligament of the ovary.

    • The broad ligament contains the following structures:

      • ovarian artery, vein, nerves

      • uterine tubes

      • ovarian ligament of the uterus

      • round ligament of the uterus

      • ureter

      • uterine artery, vein, nerves

Position of the uterus:

  1. The uterus is normally in an anteflexed (with respect to the cervix) and anteverted (with respect to the vagina) position, which places the uterus in a nearly horizontal position lying on the superior wall of the urinary bladder

  2. Anteflexed refers to the anterior bend of the uterus at the angle between the cervix and the body of the uterus

  3. Anteverted refers to the anterior bend of the uterus at the angle between the cervix and the vagina.