What is another name for the ovarian suspensory ligament Quizlet?

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

The ovarian suspensory ligament, a crucial anatomical structure, is not a true ligament but rather a fold of peritoneum that carries vital neurovascular structures to the ovary. This guide explores what is another name for the ovarian suspensory ligament Quizlet and provides comprehensive details on its anatomy and function.

Quick Summary

The ovarian suspensory ligament is also known as the infundibulopelvic ligament. This peritoneal fold is crucial for anchoring the ovary and housing essential blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatic vessels that supply it.

Key Points

Infundibulopelvic Ligament: This is the alternate anatomical name for the ovarian suspensory ligament, commonly found in study materials like Quizlet.
Content Conduit: The ligament is not just a support structure but a vital conduit housing the ovarian artery, vein, nerves, and lymphatic vessels.
Anchors the Ovary: It attaches the upper pole of the ovary to the lateral pelvic wall, helping to suspend it in place.
Different from Ovarian Ligament: It should not be confused with the ovarian ligament, which connects the ovary to the uterus and lacks the major neurovasculature.
Clinical Relevance: The ligament is clinically important in cases of ovarian torsion, as it contains the vulnerable vascular supply.
Surgical Importance: Surgeons must be aware of its contents during procedures like oophorectomy to prevent hemorrhage.

The Infundibulopelvic Ligament: The Correct Anatomical Term

When searching for "What is another name for the ovarian suspensory ligament Quizlet," the term you are most likely to find is the infundibulopelvic ligament, often abbreviated as IP ligament. This name is derived from the anatomical structures it connects: the infundibulum (the funnel-shaped end of the uterine tube) and the pelvic wall. This fold of peritoneum is an important landmark for surgeons and an essential component of the female reproductive system's support structure.

Why is it Called a Suspensory Ligament?

The term "suspensory" is used because the ligament suspends the ovary, attaching its upper pole to the lateral pelvic wall. While it performs a supportive role, it differs from what are considered "true" ligaments in that its primary function isn't physical support but rather acting as a conduit for the ovarian vessels.

Anatomy and Contents of the Infundibulopelvic Ligament

The infundibulopelvic ligament is more than just a piece of tissue; it's a critical pathway. A deeper look reveals the crucial contents that it carries to the ovary, explaining its significance beyond just a simple anatomical term.

Inside this peritoneal fold are:

The ovarian artery, which branches directly from the aorta.
The ovarian vein, which drains blood from the ovary. The right ovarian vein drains into the inferior vena cava, while the left drains into the left renal vein.
The ovarian nerve plexus, which carries both sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers.
Lymphatic vessels that provide lymphatic drainage from the ovary to the paraaortic nodes.

This collection of vessels and nerves is vital for the ovary's function, ensuring it receives the necessary blood supply and innervation. Interrupting this bundle, such as during surgical procedures, requires careful consideration due to the risk of hemorrhage.

Distinguishing the Suspensory Ligament from Other Ovarian Ligaments

For students and practitioners, it's important to differentiate the infundibulopelvic (suspensory) ligament from other ligaments that support the ovary and uterus. The female reproductive tract is held in place by several ligaments, each with a distinct role.

The Ovarian Ligament

Unlike the suspensory ligament, the ovarian ligament connects the ovary to the lateral side of the uterus. It is a fibrous band of tissue located within the broad ligament and primarily serves to anchor the ovary medially. Crucially, it does not house any significant neurovascular structures, which is a key difference from the infundibulopelvic ligament.

The Broad Ligament

The broad ligament is a much larger sheet of peritoneum that attaches the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries to the pelvic wall. The infundibulopelvic ligament is often considered to be the most superior part of the broad ligament. The broad ligament itself is divided into three parts: the mesometrium, mesosalpinx, and mesovarium, with the mesovarium specifically anchoring the ovary to the broad ligament.

Comparison of Ovarian Ligaments


Ligament	Another Name	Attachment Points	Primary Contents	Primary Function
Suspensory Ligament	Infundibulopelvic Ligament	Ovary (upper pole) to lateral pelvic wall	Ovarian artery, vein, nerve plexus, lymphatics	Conduit for neurovasculature, secondary support
Ovarian Ligament	Proper Ovarian Ligament, Utero-ovarian Ligament	Ovary to lateral uterus	Fibrous tissue (no major vessels)	Anchors ovary medially to the uterus
Broad Ligament	Broad Ligament of Uterus	Uterus and ovaries to pelvic wall	Various vessels, nerves, and ligaments	Stabilizes position of uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries

Clinical Significance of the Infundibulopelvic Ligament

The anatomy of the infundibulopelvic ligament has important clinical implications, particularly concerning the ovary's blood supply. For instance, in cases of ovarian torsion (when the ovary twists on its pedicle), the vessels within the suspensory ligament are compromised, which can lead to a medical emergency. The twisting cuts off blood flow, and if not promptly addressed, can cause tissue death.

During surgical procedures, such as an oophorectomy (removal of an ovary), surgeons must carefully ligate (tie off) the infundibulopelvic ligament to control the bleeding from the contained ovarian artery and vein. Knowledge of its contents and location is critical to ensure patient safety and prevent complications.

The Quizlet Connection

The inclusion of "Quizlet" in the search query highlights how students often use online tools to quickly find answers to specific anatomical questions. The question "What is another name for the ovarian suspensory ligament?" is a classic anatomy quiz item because it tests knowledge of a specific anatomical synonym. Quizlet, as a flashcard platform, is a natural place for students to look for and practice these kinds of questions and answers. The straightforward flashcard-style format makes it easy to find the answer: infundibulopelvic ligament. However, as this article shows, the anatomical name is only the start of understanding this complex and vital structure.

For further reading on the broader context of female reproductive ligaments, consult authoritative sources such as the National Center for Biotechnology Information at ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499943/.

Conclusion

In summary, the ovarian suspensory ligament is also known as the infundibulopelvic ligament. This structure is a vital part of the female reproductive anatomy, serving as the primary conduit for the ovary's blood vessels and nerves. Understanding its contents and its distinction from other ligaments, like the ovarian ligament, is crucial for both students of anatomy and medical professionals. By answering this common quiz question, we also uncover the significant clinical importance of this peritoneal fold.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term infundibulopelvic ligament describes its anatomical connections, specifically from the infundibulum of the uterine tube to the pelvic wall. This name is often used interchangeably with suspensory ligament.

While it does help to suspend the ovary, its primary function is not providing physical support in the traditional sense of a ligament. Its most critical role is housing and protecting the ovarian blood vessels and nerves.

If the ligament twists, a condition known as ovarian torsion can occur. This cuts off the blood supply to the ovary, leading to severe pain and potentially tissue death. It is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgical intervention.

The suspensory ligament (infundibulopelvic) connects the ovary to the pelvic wall and carries the ovarian neurovasculature. In contrast, the ovarian ligament connects the ovary to the uterus and contains only fibrous tissue.

The ovarian suspensory ligament contains the ovarian artery, which branches from the abdominal aorta, and the ovarian vein, which drains blood from the ovary.

This is a common quiz question because it tests specific anatomical terminology. Learning the alternative names for structures is a fundamental part of studying anatomy, and platforms like Quizlet are ideal for memorizing such associations.

Besides the suspensory and ovarian ligaments, the broad ligament is a major peritoneal fold that stabilizes the uterus and other pelvic organs. The broad ligament itself is divided into three parts that support the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.