Ovarian artery
Encyclopedia
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 ureter
.
s. The ovarian arteries are the corresponding arteries in the female
to the testicular artery
in the male
. They are shorter than the internal spermatics.
The origin and course of the first part of each artery are the same as those of the internal spermatic, 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.
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
.
It commonly anastomoses
(connects with) the uterine artery
.
Human anatomy
Human anatomy is primarily the scientific study of the morphology of the human body. Anatomy is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked eye...
, the ovarian artery is a blood vessel
Blood vessel
The blood vessels are the part of the circulatory system that transports blood throughout the body. There are three major types of blood vessels: the arteries, which carry the blood away from the heart; the capillaries, which enable the actual exchange of water and chemicals between the blood and...
that supplies oxygenated blood to the 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...
. It arises from the abdominal aorta
Abdominal aorta
The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity. As part of the aorta, it is a direct continuation of the descending aorta .-Path:...
below the renal artery
Renal artery
The renal arteries normally arise off the side of the abdominal aorta, immediately below the superior mesenteric artery, and supply the kidneys with blood. Each is directed across the crus of the diaphragm, so as to form nearly a right angle with the aorta....
, and does not pass out of the abdominal cavity
Abdominal cavity
The abdominal cavity is the body cavity of the human body that holds the bulk of the viscera. It is located below the thoracic cavity, and above the pelvic cavity. Its dome-shaped roof is the thoracic diaphragm , and its oblique floor is the pelvic inlet...
. It can be found in the suspensory ligament of the ovary
Suspensory ligament of the ovary
The suspensory ligament of the ovary, also infundibulopelvic ligament , is a fold of peritoneum that extends out from the ovary to the wall of the pelvis....
, anterior to the ovarian vein and 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....
.
Relationship to internal spermatic
It only exists in femaleFemale
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
s. The ovarian arteries are the corresponding arteries in the female
Female
Female is the sex of an organism, or a part of an organism, which produces non-mobile ova .- Defining characteristics :The ova are defined as the larger gametes in a heterogamous reproduction system, while the smaller, usually motile gamete, the spermatozoon, is produced by the male...
to the testicular artery
Testicular artery
The testicular artery is a branch of the abdominal aorta that supplies blood to the testis. It is a paired artery, with one for each of the testes....
in the male
Male
Male refers to the biological sex of an organism, or part of an organism, which produces small mobile gametes, called spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon can fuse with a larger female gamete or ovum, in the process of fertilization...
. They are shorter than the internal spermatics.
The origin and course of the first part of each artery are the same as those of the internal spermatic, but on arriving at the upper opening of the lesser pelvis
Lesser pelvis
The lesser pelvis is that part of the space enclosed by the skeleton of the pelvis which is situated between the pelvic inlet and the pelvic floor. Some authors call this cavity the pelvic cavity...
the ovarian artery passes inward, between the two layers of the ovariopelvic ligament and of the 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:...
, to be distributed to the ovary.
Branches
Small branches are given to the ureterUreter
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....
and the uterine tube, and one passes on to the side of 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...
, and unites with the uterine artery
Uterine artery
-Structure:The uterine artery usually arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. It travels to the uterus, crossing the ureter anteriorly, reaching the uterus by traveling in the cardinal ligament....
.
Other offsets are continued on the round ligament of the uterus, through the inguinal canal
Inguinal canal
The inguinal canal is a passage in the anterior abdominal wall which in men conveys the spermatic cord and in women the round ligament. The inguinal canal is larger and more prominent in men.-Site:...
, to the integument of the labium majus and groin
Groin
In human anatomy, the groin areas are the two creases at the junction of the torso with the legs, on either side of the pubic area. This is also known as the medial compartment of the thigh. A pulled groin muscle usually refers to a painful injury sustained by straining the hip adductor muscles...
.
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 uterine artery
Uterine artery
-Structure:The uterine artery usually arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. It travels to the uterus, crossing the ureter anteriorly, reaching the uterus by traveling in the cardinal ligament....
.