A. Genital tract blood supply (arterial):
1) Uterine artery:
Origin: anterior division of internal iliac artery (hypogastric artery).
Course:
1) Passes in broad ligament forward & medially.
2) Crosses above ureter: *1.5 cm lateral to the cervix.
*1.5 cm above the vaginal vault.
3)Reaches the uterus at the level of internal os through lateral ligament of cervix
where it gives 3 branches: ascending , circular & descending.
Branches:
1) Ascending branch:
• Gives anterior & posterior coronary arteries which anastomose with the
opposite side & supply myometrium.
• Coronary artery radial artery basal artery (which supplies endometrium).
2) Circular artery of cervix:
• Gives small anterior & posterior azygos arteries.
3) Descending cervical artery.
4) Other branches:
• To ureter, bladder & vagina.
• Rarely, it gives vaginal artery.
Functions: it supplies uterus (at all levels), upper vagina & medial part of the tube.
Anastomosis: ascending branch ascend in tortuous manner along side of the
uterus to anastomose with ovarian artery at the cornu.
2) Ovarian artery
Origin: from abdominal aorta at the level of L1, 2.
Course:
1) Right ovarian artery:
• Crosses in front of IVC & lower part of abdominal ureter.
• Then passes in the lateral part of broad ligament to reach the ovary & tube.
2) Left ovarian artery:
• Crosses over left ureter at its origin then crosses bifurcation of common iliac artery.
• Then passes in the lateral part of broad ligament to reach the ovary & tube.
Branches: 1) Branch to the ovary.
2) Branch to the tube.
3) Branch to the cornu of uterus anastomose with ascending uterine.
Function: supplies ovary & tube.
Anastomosis: with ascending branch of uterine artery.
3) Internal pudendal artery
Origin: one of 2 terminal branches of anterior division of internal iliac artery.
Course:
• Enters pelvis by curling around ischial spine & then through lesser sciatic foramen.
• Runs in Alcock’s canal then between the 2 layers of triangular ligament to give its branches.
Branches:
1- Urethral artery 2- Inferior rectal artery. 3- Perineal artery.
4- Terminates as dorsal & deep artery of clitoris.
Function: it supplies * lower vagina, labia & bulb of vestibule.
* perineum & perineal body.
Anastomosis: with external pudendal artery.
4) Vaginal artery
Origin: *Usually, it arises from internal iliac artery.
Course: Runs in broad ligament to reach the lateral part of vagina.
Function: upper 1/3 of vagina supplied mainly by it.
Anastomosis: with azygos branch of circular cervical artery.
5) Superficial & deep external pudendal artery
Origin: from femoral artery (from external iliac artery).
Course: arises just below inguinal ligament & then turns inwards.
Function: supply the anterior parts of vulva.
B. Genital Tract blood supply (venous drainage):
1. Pelvic veins accompany their arteries & have same names.
2. Pampiniform venous plexus
(in broad ligament near the mesoverium) drains into:
• Ovarian veins:
i. Right one IVC.
ii. Left one Left renal vein IVC.
• Uterine veins: internal iliac vein.
3. Plexuses around urethra, vagina & rectum
drains mainly in internal iliac vein.
• Vaginal plexus may drain into uterine veins.
• Rectal plexus may drain into inferior mesentric vein.
4. Veins of bulb & clitoris link with vesical & vaginal plexus.
N.B.
• Congested pampiniform plexus resulting in pelvic varicosity & broad ligament varicocele.
• Communication of rectal plexus with inferior mesenteric vein sending metastasis to portal vein.
• Communication between pelvic plexus & vertebral plexus sending metastasis to brain &
spinal cord.
Genital tract blood supply videos:
Female Genital Tract Blood supply 3D Anatomy Tutorial video
Gynecology – female Genital Tract Blood supply and postions of uterus 3D Anatomy Tutorial
normal female pelvic anatomy
female reproductive system
Blood supply of female genital system video