Ovarian artery

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.^{[1] : 223}

Ovarian artery
Arteries of the female reproductive tract: uterine artery, ovarian artery and vaginal arteries.
Ovary of a sheep. ovary tertiary follicle proper ovarial ligament oviduct A. and V. ovarica
Details
Source	Abdominal aorta
Branches	Tubal branches of ovarian artery
Vein	Ovarian vein
Supplies	Ovaries, uterus
Identifiers
Latin	arteria ovarica
TA98	A12.2.12.086F
TA2	4285
FMA	14761
Anatomical terminology [edit on Wikidata]

Structure

The ovarian arteries are paired structures that arise from the abdominal aorta, usually at the level of L2. After emerging from the aorta, the artery travels within the suspensory ligament of the ovary and enters the mesovarium.

The ovarian arteries are the corresponding arteries in the female to the testicular artery in the male. They are shorter than the testicular arteries, as the testicular arteries courses through the abdominal wall to the external scrotum.

The origin and course of the first part of each artery are the same as those of the testicular artery, but on arriving at the upper opening of the lesser pelvis the ovarian artery passes inward, between the two layers of the ovariopelvic ligament and of the broad ligament of the uterus, to be distributed to the ovary. ^{[citation needed]}

Anastamoses

The ovarian artery may anastamose with the uterine artery in the broad ligament.^[2][3] This is thus an anastamosis between the abdominal aorta and the anterior internal iliac artery.^[4]

Branches

Small branches are given to the ureter and the uterine tube, one passes on to the side of the uterus, and unites with the uterine artery. Other offsets continue on the round ligament of the uterus, through the inguinal canal, and to the integument of the labium majus and groin. ^{[citation needed]}

Variance

In 20%, they arise from the renal arteries (inferior polar). Uncommonly they may arise from adrenal, lumbar, or internal iliac arteries.^[5]

Function

The ovarian artery supplies blood to the ovary and uterus. The ovarian arteries swell during pregnancy, in order to increase the uterine blood supply.^[3]: 431

Additional images

• 
  The abdominal aorta and its branches.
• 
  Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view.
• 
  Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind.

See also

This article uses anatomical terminology.

References

1. II, Anne M.R. Agur, Arthur F. Dalley (2009). Grant's atlas of anatomy. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0-7817-9604-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
2. Lampmann LE, Smeets AJ, Lohle PN. Uterine fibroids: targeted embolization, an update on technique. Abdom Imaging. 2003 Oct 31; PMID 15160767.
3. Drake, Richard L.; Vogl, Wayne; Tibbitts, Adam W.M. Mitchell; illustrations by Richard; Richardson, Paul (2005). Gray's anatomy for students (Pbk. ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone. ISBN 978-0-443-06612-2.
4. Uterine artery and ovarian artery anatomy, retrieved 2022-11-30
5. Chiva, L. M., & Magrina, J. (2018). Abdominal and Pelvic Anatomy. Principles of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery, 3–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-42878-1.00002-x

External links

• "Anastomoses Between Utero - Ovarian Arteries, Variations" at anatomyatlases.org
• pelvis at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (uterus)
• figures/chapter_35/35-9.HTM: Basic Human Anatomy at Dartmouth Medical School