Uterine_veins

Uterine vein

Uterine vein

Vein of the uterus


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.

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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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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