arterial pattern of the human uterus in relation to age

ABSTRACT

The internal genitalia of 40 human females were divided into three groups, each group containing specimens of different ages. In the first group the internal iliac artery was injected with vinilyte and latex. In the second group, the uterine vascular tree was dissected. Concerning the third group, histological sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and Mallory trichrome stains. The uterine artery was found dividing into descending and ascending branches. The latter gave a circular branch to the cervix, then ran tortuously upwards by the side of the uterus to the uterine cornu, where it anastomosed with the ovarian artery giving during its course superficial and deep segmental arteries. The superficial ones were long, and passed in the outer layer of myometrium anastomosing with their fellows of the opposite side. The deep segmental arteries were short and took a slightly tortuous course in the middle part of the myometrium. Both superficial and deep arteries sent arcuate arteries anastomosing with their ipsi and contralateral fellows and sending spiral arteries to supply the endometrium. Correlations between the present anatomical results and certain surgical problems in the gynaecological and obstetric practice were provided