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.
| Suspensory ligament of the ovary | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Precursor | Upper gubernaculum[1] |
| From | Upper pole of ovary and infundibulum of fallopian tube |
| To | Lateral wall of the pelvis |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | ligamentum suspensorium ovarii |
| TA98 | A09.1.01.018F |
| TA2 | 3805 |
| FMA | 19822 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
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
editIt contains the ovarian artery, ovarian vein,[2] ovarian nerve plexus,[5] and lymphatic vessels.[4]
Composition
editThe 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 the anterior region, the suspensory ligament is attached to the wall of the pelvis via a continuous tissue called peritoneum.
- In the more posterior region, the suspensory ligament is attached to the upper pole of ovary and infundibulum of fallopian tube via a continuous tissue called the broad ligament.
In sum, the suspensory ligament consists of a single connective tissue that has different regional notations, the peritoneum and the broad ligament.
Peritoneal relationship
edit
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
editThe 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
editReferences
edit
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 1254 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- ^ Swiss embryology (from UL, UB, and UF) ugenital/diffmorpho05
- ^ a b pelvis at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University)
- ^ "Suspensory ligament" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ a b Anatomy photo:43:03-0300 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- ^ suspensory+ligament+of+ovary at eMedicine Dictionary
External links
edit- Anatomy figure: 43:02-05 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- Anatomy image:9784 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center
- Slide at pitt.edu
