Superficial Uterine Blood Vessel Pattern

Description

Across the uterine corpus and fundus, paired uterine arteries approach from the right and left along the lateral uterine walls, then arborize into tortuous arcuate arteries coursing circumferentially within the myometrium. Radial arteries extend from these arcuate branches toward the endometrium, where they continue as straight arteries to the basal layer and spiral arteries to the functional layer. Superficial venous channels track alongside the arterial pattern and form broad interconnections across the midline. Midline anastomoses dominate the surface map. That bilateral arterial architecture matters any time uterine perfusion is manipulated. During uterine artery ligation or stepwise devascularization for postpartum hemorrhage, collateral flow through arcuate and cross-midline anastomoses can preserve myometrial viability, but it can also explain persistent bleeding when only one side is controlled. The same tortuosity and radial penetration underlie the brisk enhancement seen on angiography and the target vessels for uterine artery embolization in symptomatic leiomyomas or adenomyosis. Use this plate in gross anatomy and reproductive physiology teaching to connect the myometrial arterial rings with endometrial cyclic remodeling, or in OB-GYN surgical and interventional radiology materials describing hysterectomy planes, uterine artery embolization, and the vascular basis of postpartum hemorrhage management. It also suits patient-facing education that needs a clear, nonsectional overview of female uterine vasculature and bilateral blood supply. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.