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 in 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.
Details
Sourceabdominal aorta
Branchestubal branches of ovarian artery
Veinovarian vein
Suppliesovaries, uterus
Identifiers
Latinarteria ovarica
TA98A12.2.12.086F
TA24285
FMA14761
Anatomical terminology

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.

Variance

In 20%, they arise from the renal arteries (inferior polar). Uncommonly they may arise from adrenal, lumbar, or internal iliac arteries.[4]

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.
  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. 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
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