Round ligament of uterus

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Structure of the uterus and vagina seen in an anterior coronal section.

The round ligament of uterus is a cord-like band, about 10-12 cm in length, that extends from the uterus, passes through the inguinal canal and terminates in the subcutaneous tissue of the labia majora in the perineum.

It is attached to the lateral horn (cornu) of the uterus, just anterior and inferior to the uterotubal junction. From here, it passes subperitoneally, through the broad ligament, and over the pelvic inlet to reach the deep inguinal ring, where it enters the inguinal canal. The round ligament of uterus is the major content of the inguinal canal in females.

As it courses through the inguinal canal, the round ligament of uterus is enveloped by the layers of the abdominal wall. However, unlike the spermatic cord in males, these are thinner and largely indistinct.

The paired ligaments are remnants of the distal portion of the female (ovarian) gubernaculum, a fibrous structure that connects the developing ovary to the primordial uterus and to the labium majus of vulva during fetal development. Postnatally, the proximal part, between the ovary and the uterus forms the ovarian ligament while the distal part becomes the round ligament of uterus. 

The round ligament of uterus plays a role in maintaining the uterus in an anteverted position.