What Is a Broad Ligament?

The broad ligament is one of the four ligaments of the uterus, and is composed of bilateral peritoneal folds formed by wing-shaped peritoneum on both sides of the uterus and connective tissue in between. It starts from the uterine serosa and ends on both sides of the pelvic wall. The anterior layer of the broad ligament covers the uterine round ligament, and the posterior layer covers the ovaries. The inner 2/3 surround part of the fallopian tube (the umbellum is not covered by the peritoneum), and the outer 1/3 is the pelvic funnel ligament or ovarian suspensory ligament (containing ovarian blood vessels, which is a sign of ovarian blood vessels during surgery). The broad ligament below the fallopian tube and above the ovarian attachment site is called the fallopian tube mesangium. The broad ligament between the inner ovary and the uterine horn is slightly thickened, which is called the ovarian ligament or ovarian ligament. The broad ligament on both sides of the uterine body is rich in blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic vessels, and loose connective tissue is called parauterine tissue. Uterine blood vessels and ureters pass through the base of the broad ligament.

Basic Information

Chinese name

Broad ligament

Starting point

From the uterine serosa side to the pelvic wall on both sides

Common disease

Wide ligament laceration syndrome, broad ligament abscess, etc.

Common diseases of broad ligament

1. Broad ligament laceration syndrome The etiology of the broad ligament laceration syndrome is unknown, and may be related to obstetric surgery trauma or rough abortion, excessive gauze packing, etc., more common in menstrual women. Mainly manifested as pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, dysmenorrhea and back pain. The posterior part of the broad ligament is torn, and the blood vessels on it can show hemangio-like signs. The cervix can move in any direction, while the uterus cannot move or rarely moves. The pathological features were non-specific inflammation and infiltration of the broad ligament, hemangioma-like appearance of blood vessels, and necrosis of cells. Microscopic examination can reveal endometriosis, venous tissue hyperplasia and neuroma.
2. The clinical manifestation of endometriosis of broad ligament is that the lower abdominal pain begins to appear 2 to 3 days before menstruation, and the pain is relieved after menstruation. Involving the phrenic plexus nerve can cause sciatica. Pathological examination showed endometrial tissue in the broad ligament tissue.
3. Broad ligament abscess This disease is mostly secondary to acute pelvic connective tissue inflammation. Its symptoms and signs are similar to acute pelvic connective tissue inflammation, but it is more serious. Gynecological examinations on one side of the dome can touch the soft mass and bulge downward. Examination of the abdomen showed a lump on the inguinal ligament on one side. The skin surface was congested, slightly edema, and tenderness was not significant. Anus was found on the anterior wall or on both sides with iron hoof masses. If the onset time is more than 3 weeks, the abscess can easily penetrate the rectum, bladder or vagina.
4. Broad ligament fibroids occur in the uterine wall to the broad ligament lobes extending between the two peritoneum of the peritoneum, known as broad ligament fibroids, belonging to the subserosal type. But there is also a wide ligament fibroid that grows directly from the uterine smooth muscle fibers in the broad ligament, which has nothing to do with the uterine wall. Broad ligament fibroids often cause changes in the position and shape of pelvic organs and blood vessels during their growth and development, especially ureteral displacement, causing difficulties in surgical treatment.
5. Broad ligament fibroids The broad ligament fibroids have clinical manifestations similar to those of leiomyoma, which can grow very large and cause compression symptoms and McGonagall's sign. The tumor was solid and hard, with a gray-white swirling section on the cut surface. Microscopic examination showed spindle-shaped cells with a cytoplasmic magenta color, a long nucleus, pointed ends, and magenta collagen fibers between the cells.