Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Uterine artery
Introduction
The uterine artery is an artery in females that supplies blood to the uterus.
Structure
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
Branches and organs supplied
- round ligament of the uterus
- ovary (“Ovarian branches”)
- uterus
- vagina (“Vaginal branches” – azygos arteries of the vagina)
- uterine tube (“Tubal branch”)
Additional images
Additional images
External links
External links
- Template:SUNYAnatomyLabs – “The Female Pelvis: Branches of Internal Iliac Artery”
- Template:EMedicineDictionary
- Template:NormanAnatomy (Template:NormanAnatomyFig)
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]