• The broad ligament is a double fold of peritoneum in the female.

It extends from the

lateral aspect of the uterus to the pelvic wall forming a septum that divides the true pelvis
into anterior and posterior compartments.

• The anterior compartment contains the bladder and the posterior the rectum, terminal
loop of ileum, and sigmoid colon.

• When the bladder is empty the broad ligament and uterus lie anteriorly over it, so the
surfaces of the ligament face posterosuperiorly and antero-inferiorly.

• As the bladder fills, it pushes both the uterus and broad ligament back and the surfaces
face anteriorly and posteriorly.

• Superiorly, the border is free while inferiorly it is continuous with the superior surface of
levator ani, the anterior and posterior layers diverging here.

• The uterine tube runs through the free border.

• The broad ligament may be considered as three parts:

Mesosalpinx

• The mesosalpinx is the most superior portion of the broad ligament.

• It is bounded superiorly by the uterine tube, inferiorly by the mesovarium, laterally by the
suspensory ligament of the ovary, and medially by the ovarian ligament.

• The fimbriated tubal infundibulum protudes from the free lateral end.

Mesovarium

• The mesovarium projects from the posterior aspect of the broad ligament and is attached
to the ovary at the hilum, through which are transmitted vessels and nerves.

Mesometrium

• Extending between the pelvic floor and the ovarian ligament this is the largest portion of
the broad ligament.

• It transmits the uterine and ovarian arteries, which anastomose within it.

• The suspensory ligament of the ovary also lies in the mesometrium passing laterally from
the infundibulum of the uterine tube, over the superolateral pole of the ovary and out to
the lateral pelvic wall as a distinct peritoneal fold.

• The fibrous round ligament of the uterus also passes through the mesometrium,
containing vessels and smooth muscle.