Superior view of the female pelvis with hypogastric plexus and internal iliac artery branches - no labels

Superior view of the female pelvis without peritoneum. Left: the peritoneum has been removed. Structures shown on the lateral side of the uterus, from anterior to posterior: round ligament of the uterus, uterine tube, ovarian ligament, ureter, uterosacral ligament. The ovary is connected to the lateral pelvic wall with the suspensory ligament of the ovary. Right: the endopelvic fascia, ovary, uterine tube and round ligament have been removed to show the underlying arterial supply and pelvic plexus (inferior hypogastric plexus). The branches supplying the bladder, uterus and rectum originate from the internal iliac artery. The ureter crosses the externa iliac artery and runs medio-inferior going under the uterine artery before it enters the bladder ("water goes under the bridge"). The inferior hypogastric plexus (pelvic plexus) is located lateral to the rectum. The urachus lies anterosuperior on the bladder. No labels.
Illustration by Ron Slagter and Marco DeRuiter for course 'Surgical Anatomy of the lesser pelvis' by the 'Urologisch Opleidings Instituut', the Netherlands.