| Uterine artery | |
|---|---|
 Arteries of the female reproductive tract: uterine artery,ovarian artery andvaginal arteries. (Uterine artery labeled at center.) | |
 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 | |
Theuterine artery is anartery that supplies blood to theuterus in females.
The uterine artery usually arises from the anterior division of theinternal iliac artery. It travels to theuterus, crossing theureter anteriorly, to the uterus by traveling in thecardinal ligament.[1]
It travels through theparametrium of the inferiorbroad ligament of the uterus.
It commonlyanastomoses (connects with) theovarian artery.
The uterine artery is the major blood supply to the uterus and enlarges significantly during pregnancy.
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]
The uterine arteries areligated duringhysterectomy.[3]
