PELVIS 639 



cervix is devoid of peritoneum, and is in direct relation with 

 the fundus of the bladder. The lateral borders of the uterus 

 are connected with the broad ligaments, and between the 

 layers of the ligaments they are associated with the uterine 

 artery, and the uterine plexus of veins, which is embedded 

 in a mass of loose fatty tissue called the parametrium. 

 The parametric tissue is most abundant in the region of the 

 upper part of the vagina and at the side of the neck of the 

 uterus. 



Ligamentum Teres Uteri (Round Ligament). The round 

 ligaments of the uterus are two cord-like bands, one on 

 each side, composed of involuntary muscle fibres and 

 connective tissue. They are attached to the body of the 

 uterus immediately below and in front of the entrance of 

 the uterine tubes. Each ligament runs forwards and laterally 

 from the uterus, between the layers of the broad ligament, 

 to the side wall of the pelvis. There it lies for a short distance 

 on the external iliac vessels, and then turns round the inferior 

 epigastric artery, and passes through the abdominal inguinal 

 ring into the inguinal canal, where it has already been 

 examined. It represents the lower part of the gubernaculum 

 of the ovary, the upper part being represented by the ligament 

 of the ovary. 



Position of the Uterus. In women who have borne 

 no children (nulliparae), and in whom the bladder and the 

 rectum are both empty, the uterus is normally anteflexed and 

 anteverted. The statement that the uterus is anteflexed, 

 means that it is bent forwards on itself at the isthmus, so that 

 the body and the cervix meet at an angle which is open in 

 front. This forward flexion depends upon two circumstances, 

 viz. (i) upon the greater pliability of the body as compared 

 with the firmer consistence and greater resistance of the 

 cervix; and (2) upon the fact that the cervix is more or less 

 held in position by its attachments to the anterior vaginal 

 wall and the fundus of the bladder in front, and to the posterior 

 vaginal wall behind. The term anteversion means that 

 the whole uterus body and cervix is inclined forwards 

 and forms an angle of greater or less magnitude with the 

 vertical axis of the trunk. In this position of the uterus, coils 

 of small intestine and a loop of the pelvic colon rest upon its 

 posterior surface, and its anterior surface is supported by the 

 bladder. It is only on rare occasions that a coil of small 



