Ovarian artery

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; fallopian tube; 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;

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 in the suspensory ligament of the ovary, anterior to the ovarian vein and ureter.[1] ^:223

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 down the suspensory ligament of the ovary, enters the mesovarium, and may anastamose with the uterine artery in the broad ligament.[2][3] ^:431

The ovarian arteries are the corresponding arteries in the female to the testicular artery in the male. They are shorter than the testicular arteries.

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.

Branches

Small branches are given to the ureter and the uterine tube, and one passes on to the side of the uterus, and unites with the uterine artery. Other offsets are continued on the round ligament of the uterus, through the inguinal canal, to the integument of the labium majus and groin.

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.

References

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.
Lampmann LE, Smeets AJ, Lohle PN. Uterine fibroids: targeted embolization, an update on technique. Abdom Imaging. 2003 Oct 31; PMID 15160767.
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.

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

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[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.

[2] Lampmann LE, Smeets AJ, Lohle PN. Uterine fibroids: targeted embolization, an update on technique. Abdom Imaging. 2003 Oct 31; PMID 15160767.

[GRAYS2005-3] 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.