386 



THE GENITO-URINARY SYSTEM 



the Uterus. This arrangement is well seen in Figs. 135 and 

 136. Fig. 135 represents a sagittal section made immediately 

 to the lateral side of the uterus. It will be seen that the 

 peritoneum on the posterior wall of the pelvis passes forwards 

 on the pelvic floor and then ascends to reach the uterine tube, 

 in this way forming the posterior layer of the broad ligament, 

 which is continuous medially with the layer covering the 

 posterior surface of the uterus. After covering the uterine 

 tube, the peritoneum descends anteriorly to the pelvic floor 

 forming the anterior layer of the broad ligament, which is 

 similarly continuous with the peritoneum on the front of the 

 uterus. In Fig. 136, the pelvis has been cut transversely, and 



FIG. 136. Diagram of a Transverse Section through the Uterus 

 and the Broad Ligaments, near the lower borders of the latter, 

 showing the relation of the uterine artery to the ureter. 



the relation of the peritoneum covering the uterus to the 

 broad ligament is well shown. When the two layers of the 

 broad ligament are traced laterally, they separate from one 

 another and pass forwards and backwards, respectively, on the 

 side wall of the pelvis. It is at this point of separation that 

 the uterine and ovarian vessels enter and leave the broad 

 ligament. 



Certain portions of the broad ligament receive special names. 

 (a) The part immediately below the uterine (Fallopian) tube is 

 termed the mesosalpinx. (b) The small fold which connects 

 the ovary to the posterior aspect of the broad ligament is 

 termed the mesovarium. (c} The suspensory ligament of the 

 ovary is that part of the broad ligament which extends 

 between the lateral aspect of the ovary and the side wall of 



