adnexa

Adnexa (singular adnexum) is a technical term in anatomy used to describe the accessory structures associated with a primary organ. The term originates from Latin and denotes things connected or attached to something else. Adnexa are not the main organ itself but its surrounding attachments, tissues, or structures that support or accompany it.

In the female reproductive system, the adnexa refer to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and their supporting structures, including ligaments and mesothelium such as the broad ligament. The term is commonly used for clinical notes about adnexal pathology, for example an adnexal mass (a lump in the region of the ovary or fallopian tube) or adnexal inflammation (adnexitis), which can involve the ovaries or tubes and surrounding tissues.

In ophthalmology, the adnexa of the eye (adnexa oculi) consist of the structures surrounding the eyeball, principally the eyelids (palpebrae), the lacrimal apparatus (glands and ducts), and the conjunctiva. These components protect, lubricate, and move the eye, and diseases of the adnexa are common, including blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and dacryocystitis.

Adnexa may also be used more broadly to describe the accessory parts of other organs or systems, but its primary clinical uses are in gynecology and ophthalmology. The term helps distinguish the main organ from its supportive or adjoining structures, which is important for diagnosis and treatment planning.