External Contour of the Uterine Vasculature

Description

Along the lateral margins of the uterus, the uterine artery courses medially within the broad ligament toward the cervix, then ascends in a tortuous path along the uterine body to supply the fundus, giving arcuate branches that run circumferentially within the myometrium. Inferiorly, the cervix and upper vagina receive cervicovaginal branches, while superiorly the uterine vasculature anastomoses with the ovarian vessels near the uterine horn and fallopian tube. Venous return parallels the arterial pattern but expands into a prominent uterine venous plexus at the level of the cervix and lower uterine segment, draining laterally via uterine veins toward the internal iliac vein. Dense, plexiform veins. That external contour matters in the operating room. During total hysterectomy, myomectomy, or uterine-sparing procedures, the uterine artery is typically controlled near the cervix, and this view helps clarify why bleeding often arises from broad ligament windows or from venous channels that do not clamp cleanly. The illustration also supports teaching around ureteric risk, because the ureter passes inferior to the uterine artery near the cervix (the classic water under the bridge relationship), a common site of iatrogenic injury. Use this artwork for obstetrics and gynecology teaching blocks, pelvic anatomy practicals, and surgical atlases covering hysterectomy steps, uterine artery ligation, or postpartum hemorrhage management such as uterine devascularization. It also fits well in patient-facing education where you need a clean, external map of female reproductive blood supply and uterine venous plexus drainage without internal endometrial detail. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.