Uterine artery
Arteries of the female reproductive tract: uterine artery, ovarian artery and vaginal arteries. (Uterine artery labeled at center.)
Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view. (Uterine artery labeled at center right.)
Details
Sourceinternal iliac artery (i.e. hypogastric artery)
Veinuterine veins
Suppliesround ligament of the uterus, ovary, uterus, vagina, uterine tube
Identifiers
Latinarteria uterina
MeSHD055988
TA98A12.2.15.029F
TA24330
FMA18829
Anatomical terminology

The uterine artery is an artery that supplies blood to the uterus in females.

Structure

The uterine artery usually arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. It travels to the uterus, crossing the ureter anteriorly, to the uterus by traveling in the cardinal ligament.[1]

Uterine artery

It travels through the parametrium of the inferior broad ligament of the uterus.

It commonly anastomoses (connects with) the ovarian artery.

The uterine artery is the major blood supply to the uterus and enlarges significantly during pregnancy.

Branches and organs supplied

Anatomical variants

Uterine artery can arise from the first branch of inferior gluteal artery. It can also arise as the 2nd or 3rd branch from the inferior gluteal artery. On the other hand, uterine artery can be first branch from internal iliac artery before the superior and inferior gluteal arteries branching off from the main arterial trunk. In addition to that, uterine artery can also arise directly from internal iliac artery together with superior and inferior gluteal arteries.[2]

Clinical significance

Hysterectomy

The uterine arteries are ligated during hysterectomy.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Pelage, J. P.; Walker, W. J.; Dref, O. Le; Rymer, R. (2003-06-01). "Ovarian Artery: Angiographic Appearance, Embolization and Relevance to Uterine Fibroid Embolization". CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology. 26 (3): 227–233. doi:10.1007/s00270-002-1875-3. ISSN 0174-1551. PMID 14562969. S2CID 23788447.
  2. ^ a b Rand, Thomas; Patel, Rafiuddin; Magerle, Wolfgang; Uberoi, Raman (December 2020). "CIRSE standards of practice on gynaecological and obstetric haemorrhage". CVIR Endovascular. 3 (1): 85. doi:10.1186/s42155-020-00174-7. ISSN 2520-8934. PMC 7695782. PMID 33245432.
  3. ^ Pareja, Rene; Ramirez, Pedro T. (2018-01-01), Ramirez, Pedro T.; Frumovitz, Michael; Abu-Rustum, Nadeem R. (eds.), "Chapter 7 - Abdominal Radical Hysterectomy", Principles of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery, Elsevier, pp. 104–115, ISBN 978-0-323-42878-1, retrieved 2021-02-04

External links

Arteries of the abdomen and pelvis
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