[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) › Round ligament of uterus [Reproductive system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/reproductive-system/) · [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) # Round ligament of uterus The round ligament runs from the upper corner of the uterus through the groin to the labia majora; it helps tip the uterus forward and can ache in pregnancy. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=female&select=round_ligament_uterus&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A cord from the top corner of the uterus that runs through the inguinal canal into the labium majus. In the female it is what the inguinal canal carries (the [spermatic cord](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/spermatic-cord/) in the male). ## What it does Helps keep the uterus tipped forward; stretching of it causes sharp groin pain in pregnancy. ## Key points - From the uterine corner it runs forward and laterally in the broad ligament, crosses the external iliac vessels and hooks around the inferior epigastric artery to enter the deep inguinal ring - It is usually the first structure divided in an abdominal hysterectomy, opening the layers of the broad ligament - A persistent processus vaginalis along it (canal of Nuck) can give a hydrocele or an indirect inguinal hernia in girls and women ## Key facts **Attaches** Uterine cornu (below the tube) through the deep inguinal ring and inguinal canal to the labium majus **Function** Helps maintain anteversion; remnant of the gubernaculum (homologue of the male gubernaculum [testis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/testis/)); carries the artery of the round ligament and lymph to inguinal nodes ## Relations **Course** Uterine cornu, below and in front of the tube → anterior layer of the [broad ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/broad-ligament-of-uterus/) → over the external iliac vessels → deep inguinal ring, lateral to the [inferior epigastric artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-epigastric-artery/) → [inguinal canal](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inguinal-canal/) → fat of the [labia majora](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/labium-majus-of-vulva/) **Contents** Artery of the round ligament (a branch of the inferior epigastric artery), veins and lymphatics; in the inguinal canal the ilioinguinal nerve runs alongside **Medial** [Urinary bladder](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/urinary-bladder/) and [vesicouterine pouch](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/vesicouterine-pouch/), beside it in the [pelvis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) **Above** [Uterine tube](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/), just above it at the uterine corner **Behind** [Ovarian ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/proper-ovarian-ligament/), attached just behind it at the uterine corner ## How to find it Seen at laparoscopy as a cord running from the front of the uterine corner, under a fold of [peritoneum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/peritoneum/), to the deep inguinal ring. In the groin it lies within the inguinal canal and is not felt as a separate structure. ## On imaging Ultrasound of a groin lump in a woman: round ligament varicosities in pregnancy can mimic an inguinal hernia but fill with flow on Doppler; a hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a cystic lump along the ligament's course. ## Common problems - Weakened supports allow prolapse. - Endometriosis often grows on the uterosacral ligaments. ## How it is diagnosed Examination and ultrasound; seen directly in laparoscopy. ## Treatment - They are divided step by step in a hysterectomy. ## Clinical notes - Round ligament pain: sharp, often one-sided groin or lower abdominal pain in the second trimester, brought on by sudden movement as the growing uterus stretches it - Lymph from near the uterine corner can follow it to the [superficial inguinal nodes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/superficial-inguinal-nodes/), which explains rare inguinal spread of uterine cancer - Varicose veins of the round ligament in pregnancy can form a soft groin swelling that mimics an inguinal hernia; Doppler ultrasound tells them apart - Endometriosis can grow in its extraperitoneal part within the inguinal canal, giving a groin lump that swells and hurts around menstruation ## Development It is the lower part of the gubernaculum, the counterpart of the gubernaculum testis; the processus vaginalis that follows it into the labium majus normally closes. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## What is the course of the round ligament of the uterus? From the uterine cornu through the broad ligament, over the external iliac vessels, around the inferior epigastric artery into the inguinal canal, ending in the labium majus. ## What causes round ligament pain in pregnancy? The growing uterus stretches the round ligament: sharp, often one-sided groin pain in the second trimester with sudden movement. ## What can a persistent canal of Nuck along the round ligament cause? A hydrocele or an indirect inguinal hernia in girls and women. ## What is the embryological origin of the round ligament of the uterus? The lower part of the gubernaculum, counterpart of the gubernaculum testis. [Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/round-ligament-of-uterus/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** ligamentum teres uteri TA2 3835 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Ligamento redondo del útero DeCS D012404 **English (TA2)** Round ligament of uterus **Also called** chorda uteroinguinalis · chorda teres · ligament of Hunter · Hunter's ligament ## Related - [Fundus of uterus](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/fundus-of-uterus/) - [Labia majora](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/labium-majus-of-vulva/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [DeCS](https://decs.bvsalud.org/es/ths/resource/?id=29555&filter=ths_termall&q=Ligamento%20Redondo%20del%20%C3%9Atero); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Uterus Round Ligament](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499970/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. 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