Bassett Collection of Stereoscopic Images of Human Anatomy

The peritoneal covering of the rectouterine fold previously illustrated (161-4) has now been removed. The uterus and vagina have been pulled anteriorly to expose the smooth muscle and fibrous tissue (4) that occupies this fold and extends from the uterus and vaginal wall to the lateral and posterior walls of the pelvic cavity. Although it appears as a continuous sheet, this tissue has usually been subdivided into uterosacral and cardinal (or lateral cervical) ligaments. The former is also identified as the m. rectouterinus and the latter as Mackenrodt's ligament. In subsequent dissections of this series it may be seen that the pelvic plexus of nerves as well as several blood vessels are incorporated within these ligaments.