vaginal artery
Noun: 1. A branch of the internal iliac artery: The vaginal artery is a blood vessel that originates from the internal iliac artery. Its primary function is to supply oxygenated blood to the walls of the vagina, the base (fundus) of the urinary bladder, and the rectum.
The term "vaginal artery" is used exclusively in anatomical, medical, and clinical contexts to describe this specific blood vessel. * During the hysterectomy procedure, the surgeon carefully ligated the vaginal artery to control bleeding. * The vaginal artery is a crucial source of blood supply for the lower pelvic organs.
- In anatomical descriptions, the vaginal artery is often discussed in relation to the internal iliac artery (its source) and the uterine artery, with which it may anastomose (connect).
- In surgical contexts, precise knowledge of the vaginal artery's location is vital to avoid accidental injury and significant hemorrhage during pelvic surgeries.
- Arteria vaginalis: The formal Latin anatomical term for the vaginal artery.
- Internal iliac artery: The major artery from which the vaginal artery branches.
- Uterine artery: A nearby artery that often forms connections (anastomoses) with the vaginal artery.
There are no direct common-language synonyms for this precise anatomical term. In medical terminology, it is uniquely identified as the vaginal artery or arteria vaginalis.
- Blood supply to the vagina: A descriptive phrase for the function of the vaginal artery.
- Pelvic vasculature: The broader system of blood vessels in the pelvis, which includes the vaginal artery.
- a branch of the internal iliac that provides blood for the vagina and the base of the bladder and the rectum