Albany Medical College Virtual Anatomy Lab

Female Pelvis and Genitalia: Module 1 - Page 4 of 7


Next, explore how the internal pelvic organs are positioned and suspended within the female pelvis :

Rotate the female pelvis  into anatomical position to aid your orientation.
Add the rectum and sigmoid colon.
Add the vagina.
Add the ureters, nothing their descent into the pelvis.
Add the uterus, centrally located between the bladder and rectum.
Add the round ligament of the uterus, which helps maintain the anteverted position of the uterus.

The gubernaculum is an embryological structure that becomes the round ligament of the uterus and the ovarian ligament of the ovary in females. What does the gubernaculum become in males?

Where does the round ligament attach in females?

Examine the ureters in relation to the round ligament.

Key landmark: The ureters pass deep (inferior) to the round ligament, a relationship that is important in pelvic surgery. Remember that "the water (ureter) goes under the bridge (round ligament)."
Add the uterine artery, a branch of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. Observe how it crosses superior to the ureter near the lateral aspect of the cervic - another important surgical landmark.

Note: The uterine artery will be hidden in later steps for visual clarity.