Which ligament creates the retrouterine and vesicouterine pouches?

Which ligament creates the retrouterine and vesicouterine pouches?

• A. Broad
• B. Cardinal
• C. Uterosacral
• D. Suspensory

Answer: (A)

The spaces between the uterus and neighboring organs are created by how the peritoneum drapes around the uterus. The broad ligament is a double layer of peritoneum that extends from the uterus to the lateral pelvic walls, forming the sheet on which the peritoneum reflects to line the surfaces of the bladder and rectum. When the peritoneum reflects from the uterus to the bladder, it creates the vesicouterine pouch; when it reflects from the uterus to the rectum, it creates the rectouterine pouch (pouch of Douglas). So these pouches are established by the peritoneal reflections within the broad ligament. The uterosacral and cardinal ligaments help support the uterus and define some boundaries, but the actual creation of these peritoneal pouches comes from the broad ligament’s peritoneal folds.

The spaces between the uterus and neighboring organs are created by how the peritoneum drapes around the uterus. The broad ligament is a double layer of peritoneum that extends from the uterus to the lateral pelvic walls, forming the sheet on which the peritoneum reflects to line the surfaces of the bladder and rectum. When the peritoneum reflects from the uterus to the bladder, it creates the vesicouterine pouch; when it reflects from the uterus to the rectum, it creates the rectouterine pouch (pouch of Douglas). So these pouches are established by the peritoneal reflections within the broad ligament. The uterosacral and cardinal ligaments help support the uterus and define some boundaries, but the actual creation of these peritoneal pouches comes from the broad ligament’s peritoneal folds.