Ovarian artery
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
At the time the article was created Donna D'Souza had no recorded disclosures.
View Donna D'Souza's current disclosuresAt the time the article was last revised Craig Hacking had no recorded disclosures.
View Craig Hacking's current disclosures- Ovarian arteries
The ovarian artery is a paired structure and is the main gonadal artery in females.
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Gross anatomy
Origin
The ovarian artery arises anterolaterally from the aorta just inferior to the renal arteries and superior to the inferior mesenteric artery (between L2 and L3).
Course
Descends caudally in the retroperitoneum on psoas major with the gonadal vein and ureter. Passes into the pelvis anterior to the iliac vessels. In the pelvis, it takes a medial path through the suspensory ligament towards the uterus. Anastomoses with the ovarian branch of the uterine artery at the uterus.
Supply
Variant anatomy
In 20%, they arise from the renal arteries. Uncommonly may arise from adrenal, lumbar or internal iliac arteries.
Related pathology
- sometimes supply uterine fibroids
References
- 1. Sinnatamby CS, Last RJ. Last's anatomy, regional and applied. Churchill Livingstone. (2006) ISBN:0443100330. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
- 2. Kaufman JA, Lee MJ. Vascular & interventional radiology. Mosby Inc. (2004) ISBN:0815143699. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
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