Uterine appendages

The uterine appendages (or adnexa of uterus) are the structures most closely related structurally and functionally to the uterus.

Uterine appendages
Schematic frontal view of female anatomy
Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind. (In this orientation, the contents "in front" of the broad ligament are posterior to it.)
Details
Identifiers
Latinadnexa uteri
MeSHD000290
Anatomical terminology

Terminology

They can be defined in slightly different ways:

  • Some sources define the adnexa as the fallopian tubes and ovaries.[1]
  • Others include the supporting tissues".[2]
  • Another source defines the appendages as the "regions of the true pelvis posterior to the broad ligaments".[3]
  • One dictionary includes the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and ligaments (without specifying precisely which ligaments are included).[4]

Clinical significance

The term "adnexitis" is sometimes used to describe an inflammation of the uterine appendages (adnexa).[5] In this context, it replaces the terms oophoritis and salpingitis.

The term adnexal mass is sometimes used when the location of a uterine mass is not yet more precisely known.

63% of ectopic pregnancies present with an adnexal mass. Depending on the size of the mass, it could be a medical emergency.

Term "Adnexectomy" in Gynaecology is often used for Salpingo-Oophorectomy (removal of both: fallopian tubes and ovaries).

Additional images

gollark: Oh, you're right, they are subtly diferent.
gollark: It was STOLEN from me!!!!
gollark: Hey, that's MY COLOR!
gollark: COMPARTMENTAL SLATS was a success.
gollark: LyricLy is not owner, will.

References

  1. Abele, H (2014). Atlas of gynecologic surgery. Stuttgart: Thieme. ISBN 9783136507049; Access provided by the University of Pittsburgh
  2. Ramsden, Ian; Philip Welsby (2002). Clinical history taking and examination: an illustrated color text. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. p. 65. ISBN 0-443-07088-1.
  3. Reva Arnez Curry; Tempkin, Betty Bates (1995). Ultrasonography: an introduction to normal structure and functional anatomy. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co. p. 222. ISBN 0-7216-4585-2.
  4. "uterine appendages" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  5. "Adnexitis - Definition and More from Merriam-Webster's Free Medical Dictionary". Archived from the original on 21 February 2010. Retrieved 9 March 2010.

See also

  • Adnexa (disambiguation)

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.