Uterine appendages explained

Uterine appendages
Latin:	adnexa uteri

The uterine appendages (or adnexa of uterus) are the structures most closely related structurally and functionally to the uterus.

Terminology

They can be defined in slightly different ways:

• Some sources define the adnexa as the fallopian tubes and ovaries.^[1]
• Others include the supporting tissues".^[2]
• Another source defines the appendages as the "regions of the true pelvis posterior to the broad ligaments".^[3]
• One dictionary includes the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and ligaments (without specifying precisely which ligaments are included).

Clinical significance

The term "adnexitis" is sometimes used to describe an inflammation of the uterine appendages (adnexa).^[4] In this context, it replaces the terms oophoritis and salpingitis.

The term adnexal mass is sometimes used when the location of a uterine mass is not yet more precisely known.

63% of ectopic pregnancies present with an adnexal mass. Depending on the size of the mass, it could be a medical emergency.

The term "adnexectomy" in gynaecology is often used for salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of both: fallopian tubes and ovaries).

See also

• Adnexa (disambiguation)

Notes and References

1. Book: Abele, H . Atlas of gynecologic surgery . Thieme . Stuttgart . 2014 . 9783136507049. .
2. Book: Ramsden, Ian . Philip Welsby . Clinical history taking and examination: an illustrated color text . Churchill Livingstone . Edinburgh . 2002 . 65 . 0-443-07088-1 .
3. Book: Reva Arnez Curry . Tempkin, Betty Bates . Ultrasonography: an introduction to normal structure and functional anatomy . W.B. Saunders Co . Philadelphia . 1995 . 222 . 0-7216-4585-2 .
4. Web site: Adnexitis - Definition and More from Merriam-Webster's Free Medical Dictionary . 2010-03-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20100221132420/http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/adnexitis. 21 February 2010 . live.