Excessive stretching of which ligament can lead to retroflexion of the uterus?

• A. Broad ligament
• B. Round ligament
• C. Uterosacral ligaments
• D. Infundibulopelvic ligament

Answer: (B)

The position of the uterus is held in place by several ligaments, with the round ligaments playing the key role in maintaining forward tilt. The round ligaments extend from the uterine horns to the labia majora and pull the fundus anteriorly, helping keep the uterus anteverted and anteflexed. When these ligaments are excessively stretched or lax, that forward pull diminishes, allowing the fundus to tilt backward toward the spine, which results in retroflexion. The broad ligament provides general support but isn’t the primary factor in preventing backward tilt; the uterosacral ligaments, while they stabilize the uterus posteriorly, are less implicated in the initial forward pull; the infundibulopelvic ligament mainly carries vessels and supports the lateral pelvic wall rather than the forward bend of the uterus. Thus, excessive stretching of the round ligament best explains retroflexion.