Definition

1. Noun:
   • An artery supplying blood to the uterus: The uterine artery is a major blood vessel that branches from the internal iliac artery. Its primary function is to deliver oxygenated blood to the uterus and the upper portion of the vagina.

Usage

• The term "uterine artery" is used in medical, anatomical, and clinical contexts to describe this specific vessel. It is a standard term in gynecology, obstetrics, and surgery.

Examples

• Noun:
  • During a hysterectomy, surgeons must carefully ligate the uterine artery.
  • Increased blood flow through the uterine artery is essential for a healthy pregnancy.
  • An ultrasound can be used to assess the blood flow in the uterine artery.

Advanced Usage

• "Uterine artery embolization (UAE)": A minimally invasive procedure to block the uterine arteries, often used to treat fibroids.
  • She opted for uterine artery embolization to manage her symptomatic fibroids.
• "Uterine artery Doppler": An ultrasound technique to measure blood flow velocity in this artery, often used in prenatal screening.
  • The obstetrician performed a uterine artery Doppler scan to check for signs of preeclampsia.

Variants and Related Words

• Arteria uterina: The Latin anatomical term for the uterine artery.
• Internal iliac artery: The parent artery from which the uterine artery branches.
• Uterine vein: The vein that typically accompanies the artery and drains blood from the uterus.

Synonyms

• There are no direct common synonyms for this precise anatomical structure. In non-technical language, it may be described as "the main artery to the womb".

Related Phrases

• Ligation of the uterine artery: The surgical tying off of this artery.
• Uterine artery aneurysm: A rare condition involving a bulging or weakening in the wall of this artery.

Notes

• The uterine artery is a paired structure, with one artery serving each side of the uterus.
• Its role is crucial in reproductive health, and abnormalities in its function can be associated with conditions like fibroids, abnormal placental development, and postpartum hemorrhage.

Noun

1. a branch of the internal iliac artery that supplies the uterus and the upper part of the vagina