Structure

The uterine artery usually arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery

Internal iliac artery

The internal iliac artery is the main artery of the pelvis.-Structure:The internal iliac artery supplies the walls and viscera of the pelvis, the buttock, the reproductive organs, and the medial compartment of the thigh...

. It travels to the uterus

Uterus

The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...

, crossing the ureter

Ureter

In human anatomy, the ureters are muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long and ~3-4 mm in diameter....

 anteriorly, reaching the uterus by traveling in the cardinal ligament

Cardinal ligament

The cardinal ligament is a major ligament of the uterus. It is located at the base of the broad ligament of the uterus. Importantly, it contains the uterine artery and uterine vein...

.

It travels through the parametrium

Parametrium

In women, the supravaginal portion of the cervix is separated in front from the bladder by fibrous tissue, the parametrium , which extends also on to its sides and laterally between the layers of the broad ligaments....

 of the inferior broad ligament of the uterus

Broad ligament of the uterus

The broad ligament of the uterus is the wide fold of peritoneum that connects the sides of the uterus to the walls and floor of the pelvis.-Subdivisions:The broad ligament may be divided into three subcomponents:...

.

It commonly anastomoses

Anastomosis

An anastomosis is the reconnection of two streams that previously branched out, such as blood vessels or leaf veins. The term is used in medicine, biology, mycology and geology....

 (connects with) the ovarian artery

Ovarian artery

In human anatomy, the ovarian artery is a blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the ovary. It arises from the abdominal aorta below the renal artery, and does not pass out of the abdominal cavity. It can be found in the suspensory ligament of the ovary, anterior to the ovarian vein and...

.
The uterine artery is the major blood supply to the uterus and enlarges significantly during pregnancy.

Branches and organs supplied

• round ligament of the uterus
• ovary
  Ovary
  The ovary is an ovum-producing reproductive organ, often found in pairs as part of the vertebrate female reproductive system. Ovaries in anatomically female individuals are analogous to testes in anatomically male individuals, in that they are both gonads and endocrine glands.-Human anatomy:Ovaries...
  
   ("Ovarian branches")
• uterus
  Uterus
  The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...
  
   (arcuate vessels)
• vagina
  Vagina
  The vagina is a fibromuscular tubular tract leading from the uterus to the exterior of the body in female placental mammals and marsupials, or to the cloaca in female birds, monotremes, and some reptiles. Female insects and other invertebrates also have a vagina, which is the terminal part of the...
  
   ("Vaginal branches" - azygos arteries of the vagina
  Azygos arteries of the vagina
  The uterine artery supplies branches to the cervix uteri and others which descend on the vagina; the latter anastomose with branches of the vaginal arteries and form with them two median longitudinal vessels—the vaginal branches of uterine artery —one of which runs down in front of and the other...
  
  )
• uterine tube ("Tubal branch")

External links

- "The Female Pelvis: Branches of Internal Iliac Artery"