Uterine vein

Uterine vein
Vessels of the uterus and its appendages, rear view.
Details
Drains fromUterus
SourceUterine venous plexus
Drains toInternal iliac vein
ArteryUterine artery
Identifiers
Latinvena uterina
(plural: venae uterinae)
TA98A12.3.10.015F
TA25046
FMA75394
Anatomical terminology

The uterine vein is a vein of the uterus. It is found in the cardinal ligament. It drains into the internal iliac vein. It follows a similar course to the uterine artery. It helps to drain blood from the uterus, and removes waste from blood in the placenta during pregnancy.

Structure

The uterine vein is found in the cardinal ligament of the uterus. It travels through the broad ligament of the uterus to the lateral abdominal wall.[1] It drains into the internal iliac vein.[1][2]

The uterine vein forms a venous plexus around the cervix.[2] It follows a similar course to the uterine artery.[3] Lymphatic vessels are associated with it.[1] It also anastomoses with the ovarian vein.[2] It may anastomose with the vaginal venous plexus.[1]

Function

The uterine vein helps to drain blood from the uterus.[4] This is also important for the removal of waste from blood in the placenta during pregnancy.[4]

Clinical significance

Placenta measurement

Measurements of the partial pressure of O2 in the uterine vein can be used as an analogue of the partial pressure of O2 in the placenta.[5] This may be measured during Caesarian section.[5]

Embolism

Very rarely, amniotic fluid may enter a uterine vein during childbirth.[6] This is a rare cause of an embolism.[6]

Other animals

The uterine vein may be very different in non-human animals.[7] In rats, it drains into the common iliac vein.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Cooper, Morris D.; Rompalo, Anne M. (2013). "2 - The Genital Tract: Anatomical, Developmental, and Microbiological Factors Affecting Sexually Transmitted Disease Acquisition". Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Vaccines, Prevention, and Control (2nd ed.). Academic Press. pp. 45–70. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-391059-2.00002-4. ISBN 978-0-12-391059-2.
  2. ^ a b c Hafez, S. (2017). "1 - Comparative Placental Anatomy: Divergent Structures Serving a Common Purpose". Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science. Vol. 145. Elsevier. pp. 1–28. doi:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2016.12.001. ISBN 978-0-12-809327-6. ISSN 1877-1173. PMID 28110748.
  3. ^ Sertich, Patricia L. (2007). "6 - Intrauterine Diagnostic Procedures". Current Therapy in Equine Reproduction. Saunders. pp. 36–43. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7216-0252-3.50010-2. ISBN 978-0-7216-0252-3.
  4. ^ a b Sapehia, Divika; Thakur, Shilpa; Rahat, Beenish; Mahajan, Aatish; Singh, Parampal; Kaur, Jyotdeep (2021). "7 - Epigenetic regulation during placentation". Epigenetics and Reproductive Health. Vol. 21 - Translational Epigenetics. Academic Press. pp. 117–152. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-819753-0.00007-6. ISBN 978-0-12-819753-0. S2CID 228892696.
  5. ^ a b Huppertz, Berthold (2018). "Pregnancy Complications (FGR, Preeclampsia)". Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences - Encyclopedia of Reproduction. Vol. 2 (2nd ed.). Elsevier. pp. 607–614. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-801238-3.64927-9. ISBN 978-0-12-815145-7.
  6. ^ a b "7 - Cardiovascular Diseases". Pathology Illustrated (7th ed.). Churchill Livingstone. 2011. pp. 157–244. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7020-3376-6.50011-X. ISBN 978-0-7020-3376-6.
  7. ^ a b Maynard, Robert Lewis; Downes, Noel (2019). "25 - Dissection of the Adult Rat". Anatomy and Histology of the Laboratory Rat in Toxicology and Biomedical Research. Academic Press. pp. 317–339. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-811837-5.00025-3. ISBN 978-0-12-811837-5. S2CID 86787664.