Uterine artery

Last updated
Uterine artery
Gray1170.png
Arteries of the female reproductive tract: uterine artery, ovarian artery and vaginal arteries. (Uterine artery labeled at center.)
Gray589.png
Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view. (Uterine artery labeled at center right.)
Details
Source internal iliac artery (i.e. hypogastric artery)
Vein uterine veins
Supplies round ligament of the uterus, ovary, uterus, vagina, uterine tube
Identifiers
Latin arteria uterina
MeSH D055988
TA98 A12.2.15.029F
TA2 4330
FMA 18829
Anatomical terminology

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

Contents

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 Uterine artery.jpg
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

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uterus</span> Female sex organ in mammals

The uterus or womb is the organ in the reproductive system of most female mammals, including humans, that accommodates the embryonic and fetal development of one or more embryos until birth. The uterus is a hormone-responsive sex organ that contains glands in its lining that secrete uterine milk for embryonic nourishment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internal pudendal artery</span>

The internal pudendal artery is one of the three pudendal arteries. It branches off the internal iliac artery, and provides blood to the external genitalia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip</span> Anatomical region between the torso and the legs, holding the buttocks and genital region

In vertebrate anatomy, hip refers to either an anatomical region or a joint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">External iliac artery</span> Arteries of the pelvis

The external iliac arteries are two major arteries which bifurcate off the common iliac arteries anterior to the sacroiliac joint of the pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uterine artery embolization</span>

Uterine artery embolization is a procedure in which an interventional radiologist uses a catheter to deliver small particles that block the blood supply to the uterine body. The procedure is primarily done for the treatment of uterine fibroids and adenomyosis. Since uterine fibroids are the most common indication, it is also often referred to as uterine fibroid embolization. Compared to surgical treatment for fibroids such as a hysterectomy, in which a woman's uterus is removed, uterine artery embolization may be beneficial in women who wish to retain their uterus. Other reasons for uterine artery embolization are postpartum hemorrhage and uterine arteriovenous malformations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internal iliac artery</span> Main artery of the pelvis

The internal iliac artery is the main artery of the pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior epigastric artery</span> Blood vessel

In human anatomy, the inferior epigastric artery is an artery that arises from the external iliac artery. It is accompanied by the inferior epigastric vein; inferiorly, these two inferior epigastric vessels together travel within the lateral umbilical fold The inferior epigastric artery then traverses the arcuate line of rectus sheath to enter the rectus sheath, then anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery within the rectus sheath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacrospinous ligament</span>

The sacrospinous ligament is a thin, triangular ligament in the human pelvis. The base of the ligament is attached to the outer edge of the sacrum and coccyx, and the tip of the ligament attaches to the spine of the ischium, a bony protuberance on the human pelvis. Its fibres are intermingled with the sacrotuberous ligament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iliolumbar artery</span>

The iliolumbar artery is the first branch of the posterior trunk of the internal iliac artery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superior gluteal artery</span>

The superior gluteal artery is the terminal branch of the posterior division of the internal iliac artery. It exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen before splitting into a superficial branch and a deep branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lateral sacral artery</span> Artery in the pelvis

The lateral sacral arteries is an artery in the pelvis that arises from the posterior division of the internal iliac artery. It later splits into two smaller branches, a superior and an inferior.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior gluteal artery</span>

The inferior gluteal artery is a terminal branch of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery. It exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen. It is distributed chiefly to the buttock and the back of the thigh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obturator artery</span>

The obturator artery is a branch of the internal iliac artery that passes antero-inferiorly on the lateral wall of the pelvis, to the upper part of the obturator foramen, and, escaping from the pelvic cavity through the obturator canal, it divides into an anterior branch and a posterior branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ovarian artery</span>

The ovarian artery is an artery that supplies oxygenated blood to the ovary in females. It arises from the abdominal aorta below the renal artery. It can be found within the suspensory ligament of the ovary, anterior to the ovarian vein and ureter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad ligament of the uterus</span> Wide fold of peritoneum that connects the sides of the uterus to the walls and floor of the pelvis

The broad ligament of the uterus is the wide fold of peritoneum that connects the sides of the uterus to the walls and floor of the pelvis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ovarian vein</span>

The ovarian vein, the female gonadal vein, carries deoxygenated blood from its corresponding ovary to inferior vena cava or one of its tributaries. It is the female equivalent of the testicular vein, and is the venous counterpart of the ovarian artery. It can be found in the suspensory ligament of the ovary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deep circumflex iliac artery</span> Artery in the pelvis

The deep circumflex iliac artery is an artery in the pelvis that travels along the iliac crest of the pelvic bone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ovarian fossa</span> Depression on the lateral wall of the pelvis

The ovarian fossa is a shallow depression on the lateral wall of the pelvis, where in the ovary lies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of human anatomy</span> Overview of and topical guide to human anatomy

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to human anatomy:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip bone</span> Bone of the pelvis

The hip bone is a large flat bone, constricted in the center and expanded above and below. In some vertebrates it is composed of three parts: the ilium, ischium, and the pubis.

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. 1 2 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