Uterine artery

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

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

Structure

The uterine artery usually arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. It travels to the uterus, crossing the ureter anteriorly.

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

It commonly anastomoses (connects with) the vaginal artery. The vaginal artery sometimes arises from the uterine artery, instead of arising directly from the internal iliac artery.

Branches and organs supplied

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

Additional images

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See also

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

External links

• Template:SUNYAnatomyLabs - "The Female Pelvis: Branches of Internal Iliac Artery"
• Template:EMedicineDictionary
• Template:NormanAnatomy (Template:NormanAnatomyFig)