The ovarian ligament is composed of muscular and fibrous tissue; it extends from the uterine extremity of the
ovary to the lateral aspect of the
uterus, just below the point where the
uterine tube and uterus meet. The ligament runs in the
broad ligament of the uterus, which is a fold of
peritoneum rather than a fibrous ligament. Specifically, it is located in the
parametrium.
Development Embryologically, each ovary (which forms from the gonadal ridge) is connected to a band of
mesoderm, the
gubernaculum. This strip of mesoderm remains in connection with the ovary throughout its development, and eventually spans this distance by attachment within the
labia majora. During the latter parts of urogenital development, the gubernaculum forms a long fibrous band of connective tissue stretching from the ovary to the uterus, and then continuing into the labia majora. This connective tissue span, the remnant of the gubernaculum is separated into two parts anatomically in the adult; the length between the ovary and the uterus termed the ovarian ligament, and the longer stretch between the uterus and the labia majora, the
round ligament of uterus. == Function ==