Detailed Map of the Diverse Uterine Arteries

Description

Arising from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery, each uterine artery courses medially within the base of the broad ligament, crossing superior to the ureter near the lateral cervix before turning cranially along the uterine margin. A tortuous ascending branch tracks superiorly beside the uterine body toward the fundus, while smaller cervical and vaginal branches descend inferiorly to the cervix and upper vagina. Across the anterior and posterior uterine surfaces, arcuate arteries run circumferentially within the myometrium and give off radial and spiral arteries toward the endometrium, with anastomoses linking the right and left sides and communicating laterally with the ovarian artery near the uterine tube. That collateral pattern matters in the operating room. During hysterectomy or uterine-sparing procedures, you typically control the uterine artery close to the cervix, where the ureter runs just inferior and posterior to the vessel, and this relationship drives safe clamp or energy-device placement. In postpartum hemorrhage, uterine artery ligation or uterine artery embolization exploits the rich anastomotic uterine vasculature, yet persistent bleeding can occur via ovarian artery backflow through the tubo-uterine arcade. Collateral flow is the story. Use this illustration for pelvic anatomy teaching in obstetrics and gynecology blocks, for atlas plates explaining myometrial versus endometrial blood supply, and for clinical education materials on postpartum hemorrhage, uterine fibroid embolization, and surgical ureteral injury prevention. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.