Seal halal 
THE UTERUS. 1131 
ligament, which is largely composed of unstriped muscle fibres continuous with those 
of the uterus, is enclosed in a slight fold derived from the posterior layer of the 
broad ligament. 
__ The ligament of the ovary represents the upper portion of the gubernaculum which appears 
in the embryo. 
The round ligament of the uterus (ligamentum teres uteri) is a narrow flat 
band attached to the uterus just in front of and a little below the opening of the 
Fallopian tube. Near the uterus it contains numerous smooth muscle fibres, which 
are continuous with those of the uterus; further on it is chiefly composed of 
fibrous connective tissue. Lying in the anterior part of the broad ligament, it 
reaches the pelvic wall, and is then directed forwards and slightly upwards to cross 
the obliterated hypogastric artery and the pelvic brim. After it has reached the 
Cavity of uterus 
Cavity of 
bladder 
Labinin anterius 
(cervix uteri) 
‘Symphysis pubis 
Lahium posterius 
(cervix uteri) 
Recto-vaginal 
reflexion of 
peritoneum 
N 
Urethra Jaginal canal 
Anal canal 
Labium minus—————>—_ fy Sphincter ani 
' 
Fic. 775.—MESIAL SECTION OF THE PELVIS IN AN ADULT FEMALE. 
The cavity of the uterus is indicated diagrammatically. From a specimen in the Anatomical 
Department, Trinity College, Dublin. 
pelvic wall its course is comparable to that of the vas deferens in the male (Fig. 
773), and, like the latter, it leaves the abdomen to traverse the inguinal canal. It 
finally ends in the subcutaneous tissue and skin of the labium majus. Its terminal 
part is composed of connective tissue only. 
In some cases a small diverticulum of the peritoneal cavity can be traced accompanying the 
round ligament through the abdominal wall. This is called the canal of Nuck (processus 
vaginalis peritonei), and corresponds to the processus vaginalis of the male (p. 1111). 
The round ligament of the uterus represents the lower portion of the gubernaculum testis 
which appears in the male embryo (see p. 1112). 
