The uterine artery is a blood vessel that supplies the uterus (womb) with oxygenated blood. It originates from the the anterior division of the internal iliac artery. In males, it corresponds to the artery of the vas deferens, which supplies the duct deferens; the secretory duct of the testicles, running from the epididymis to the ejaculatory duct.
Once it has arisen, the uterine artery extends forwards under the peritoneum and, medially, in the root of the broad ligament, to the lateral wall of the uterus at the level of the cervix (neck) where it forks into several smaller arteries.
Branches
As it approaches the wall of uterus, the uterine artery divides into the descending vaginal branch and the ascending uterine artery. The descending vaginal branch runs obliquely down onto the anterolateral wall of the vagina, giving off secondary branches to supply it, anastomosing with the contralateral branches. Meanwhile, the ascending uterine runs up on the lateral wall of the uterus to its angle, supplying all three layers of this femenine organ (perimetrium, myometrium, and endometrium). It anastomoses with the ovarian artery as it sends secondary branches to supply the uterine tube.
Below, the uterine artery arising from the anterior branch of the internal iliac artery. You can see its different branches supplying the uterus and the first portion of vagina. Vaginal arteries originate straight from the anterior division of the internal iliac.
