The ligament that contains the uterine vessels is the lateral cervical (cardinal) ligament. Which option lists this correctly?

• A. Broad ligament
• B. Round ligament
• C. Uterosacral ligament
• D. Lateral cervical (cardinal)

Answer: (D)

The uterine vessels travel in the lateral cervical (cardinal) ligament. This thickening of pelvic fascia runs from the pelvic sidewall to the cervix and upper vagina, forming the main vascular support for the uterus as the vessels course toward the uterus from the internal iliac arteries. The broad ligament is a peritoneal fold that drapes over the uterus and contains structures like the uterine tubes and part of the uterus in its mesometrium, but the uterine vessels themselves run within the cardinal ligament. The round ligament, which connects the uterus to the labia majora, and the uterosacral ligaments, which extend to the sacrum to provide posterior support, do not contain the uterine vessels. Therefore, the correct ligament is the lateral cervical (cardinal) ligament.