Uterine vein

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Uterine vein
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Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view.
Details
Drains from Uterus
Source Uterine venous plexus
Drains to Internal iliac vein
Artery Uterine artery
Identifiers
Latin vena uterina
(plural: venae uterinae)
TA98 A12.3.10.015F
TA2 5046
FMA 75394
Anatomical terminology

The uterine vein is a vein of the uterus. It is found in the cardinal ligament. It drains into the internal iliac vein. It follows a similar course to the uterine artery. It helps to drain blood from the uterus, and removes waste from blood in the placenta during pregnancy.

Contents

Structure

The uterine vein is found in the cardinal ligament of the uterus. It travels through the broad ligament of the uterus to the lateral abdominal wall. [1] It drains into the internal iliac vein. [1] [2]

The uterine vein forms a venous plexus around the cervix. [2] It follows a similar course to the uterine artery. [3] Lymphatic vessels are associated with it. [1] It also anastomoses with the ovarian vein. [2] It may anastomose with the vaginal venous plexus. [1]

Function

The uterine vein helps to drain blood from the uterus. [4] This is also important for the removal of waste from blood in the placenta during pregnancy. [4]

Clinical significance

Placenta measurement

Measurements of the partial pressure of O2 in the uterine vein can be used as an analogue of the partial pressure of O2 in the placenta. [5] This may be measured during Caesarian section. [5]

Embolism

Very rarely, amniotic fluid may enter a uterine vein during childbirth. [6] This is a rare cause of an embolism. [6]

Other animals

The uterine vein may be very different in non-human animals. [7] In rats, it drains into the common iliac vein. [7]

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">Ureter</span> Tubes used in the urinary system in most animals

The ureters are tubes made of smooth muscle that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In a human adult, the ureters are usually 20–30 cm (8–12 in) long and around 3–4 mm (0.12–0.16 in) in diameter. The ureter is lined by urothelial cells, a type of transitional epithelium, and has an additional smooth muscle layer that assists with peristalsis in its lowest third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior vena cava</span> One of two veinous trunks bringing deoxygenated blood back to the heart

The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the joining of the right and the left common iliac veins, usually at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Umbilical artery</span> Artery in the abdominal and pelvic regions

The umbilical artery is a paired artery that is found in the abdominal and pelvic regions. In the fetus, it extends into the umbilical cord.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spinal canal</span> Passage through the vertebral column containing the spinal cord

In human anatomy, the spinal canal, vertebral canal or spinal cavity is an elongated body cavity enclosed within the dorsal bony arches of the vertebral column, which contains the spinal cord, spinal roots and dorsal root ganglia. It is a process of the dorsal body cavity formed by alignment of the vertebral foramina. Under the vertebral arches, the spinal canal is also covered anteriorly by the posterior longitudinal ligament and posteriorly by the ligamentum flavum. The potential space between these ligaments and the dura mater covering the spinal cord is known as the epidural space. Spinal nerves exit the spinal canal via the intervertebral foramina under the corresponding vertebral pedicles.

<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">Anterior superior iliac spine</span> Bony projection of the iliac bone

The anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) is a bony projection of the iliac bone, and an important landmark of surface anatomy. It refers to the anterior extremity of the iliac crest of the pelvis. It provides attachment for the inguinal ligament, and the sartorius muscle. The tensor fasciae latae muscle attaches to the lateral aspect of the superior anterior iliac spine, and also about 5 cm away at the iliac tubercle.

<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">Superior ophthalmic vein</span> Vein of the orbit around the eye

The superior ophthalmic vein is a vein of the orbit that drains venous blood from structures of the upper orbit. It is formed by the union of the angular vein, and supraorbital vein. It passes backwards within the orbit alongside the ophthalmic artery, then exits the orbit through the superior orbital fissure to drain into the cavernous sinus.

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

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inferior ophthalmic vein</span> Vein of the orbit around the eye

The inferior ophthalmic vein is a vein of the orbit that - together with the superior ophthalmic vein - represents the principal drainage system of the orbit. It begins from a venous network in the front of the orbit, then passes backwards through the lower orbit. It drains several structures of the orbit. It may end by splitting into two branches, one draining into the pterygoid venous plexus and the other ultimately into the cavernous sinus.

<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">Vitelline veins</span>

The vitelline veins are veins that drain blood from the yolk sac and the gut tube during gestation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rectal venous plexus</span>

The rectal venous plexus is the venous plexus surrounding the rectum. It consists of an internal and an external rectal plexus. It is drained by the superior, middle, and inferior rectal veins. It forms a portosystemic (portocaval) anastomosis. This allows rectally administered medications to bypassing first pass metabolism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internal iliac vein</span> Large blood vessel of the pelvis

The internal iliac vein begins near the upper part of the greater sciatic foramen, passes upward behind and slightly medial to the internal iliac artery and, at the brim of the pelvis, joins with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumbar veins</span> Veins that drain the posterior abdominal wall

The lumbar veins are four pairs of veins running along the inside of the posterior abdominal wall, and drain venous blood from parts of the abdominal wall. Each lumbar vein accompanies a single lumbar artery. The lower two pairs of lumbar veins all drain directly into the inferior vena cava, whereas the fate of the upper two pairs is more variable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internal vertebral venous plexuses</span>

The internal vertebral venous plexuses lie within the vertebral canal in the epidural space, embedded within epidural fat. They receive tributaries from bones, red bone marrow, and spinal cord. They are arranged into four interconnected, vertically oriented vessels - two situated anteriorly, and two posteriorly:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaginal venous plexus</span> Veins draining the vagina

The vaginal venous plexus is a group of veins draining blood from the vagina. It lies around the sides of the vagina. Its blood eventually drains into the internal iliac veins.

The posterior scrotal veins are veins of the scrotum in men. They accompany the posterior scrotal arteries. They drain into the vesical venous plexus. They help to drain blood from part of the scrotum.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Cooper, Morris D.; Rompalo, Anne M. (2013). "2 - The Genital Tract: Anatomical, Developmental, and Microbiological Factors Affecting Sexually Transmitted Disease Acquisition". Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Vaccines, Prevention, and Control (2nd ed.). Academic Press. pp. 45–70. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-391059-2.00002-4. ISBN   978-0-12-391059-2.
  2. 1 2 3 Hafez, S. (2017). "1 - Comparative Placental Anatomy: Divergent Structures Serving a Common Purpose". Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science. Vol. 145. Elsevier. pp. 1–28. doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2016.12.001. ISBN   978-0-12-809327-6. ISSN   1877-1173. PMID   28110748.
  3. Sertich, Patricia L. (2007). "6 - Intrauterine Diagnostic Procedures". Current Therapy in Equine Reproduction. Saunders. pp. 36–43. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7216-0252-3.50010-2. ISBN   978-0-7216-0252-3.
  4. 1 2 Sapehia, Divika; Thakur, Shilpa; Rahat, Beenish; Mahajan, Aatish; Singh, Parampal; Kaur, Jyotdeep (2021). "7 - Epigenetic regulation during placentation". Epigenetics and Reproductive Health. Vol. 21 - Translational Epigenetics. Academic Press. pp. 117–152. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-819753-0.00007-6. ISBN   978-0-12-819753-0. S2CID   228892696.
  5. 1 2 Huppertz, Berthold (2018). "Pregnancy Complications (FGR, Preeclampsia)". Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences - Encyclopedia of Reproduction. Vol. 2 (2nd ed.). Elsevier. pp. 607–614. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.64927-9. ISBN   978-0-12-815145-7.
  6. 1 2 "7 - Cardiovascular Diseases". Pathology Illustrated (7th ed.). Churchill Livingstone. 2011. pp. 157–244. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-3376-6.50011-X. ISBN   978-0-7020-3376-6.
  7. 1 2 Maynard, Robert Lewis; Downes, Noel (2019). "25 - Dissection of the Adult Rat". Anatomy and Histology of the Laboratory Rat in Toxicology and Biomedical Research. Academic Press. pp. 317–339. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-811837-5.00025-3. ISBN   978-0-12-811837-5. S2CID   86787664.