Uterine artery

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
Latin	arteria uterina
Source	internal iliac artery (i.e. hypogastric artery)
Vein	uterine veins
Supplies	round ligament of the uterus, ovary, uterus, vagina, uterine tube
Identifiers
Dorlands /Elsevier	a_61/12156490
TA
TH	{{#property:P1694}}
TE	{{#property:P1693}}
FMA	{{#property:P1402}}
Anatomical terminology [[[d:|edit on Wikidata]]]

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, reaching the uterus by traveling in the cardinal ligament.

File: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

• round ligament of the uterus
• ovary ("Ovarian branches")
• uterus (arcuate vessels)
• vagina ("Vaginal branches" - azygos arteries of the vagina)
• uterine tube ("Tubal branch")

Additional images

• Ovaire 2.JPG

See also

• Uterine artery embolization
• Uterine leiomyomata (fibroids of the uterus)

External links

• Anatomy photo:43:13-0204 at the SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "The Female Pelvis: Branches of Internal Iliac Artery"
• pelvis at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (uterus)