[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Anatomy](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/) › [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) › Ovarian artery [Cardiovascular system](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/system/cardiovascular-system/) · [Pelvis · Female](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) # Ovarian artery The ovarian artery comes from the aorta and runs down to the ovary in its suspensory ligament; it is the ovary's main blood supply. [See in 3D →](https://durgical.app/?from=durgipedia&lang=en#region=pelvis&variant=female&select=ovarian_artery&side=r) Opens in the Durgical app, no sign-up needed. ## What it is A long thin artery from the aorta, just below the [kidney](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/kidney/) arteries, that runs down into the suspensory ligament to the ovary. ## What it does The main supply of the ovary; it joins the [uterine artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-artery/) near the tube. ## Key points - It reaches the ovary inside the infundibulopelvic ligament (suspensory ligament of ovary), which is clamped and divided in oophorectomy - At the pelvic brim the ureter runs just medial to and behind the infundibulopelvic ligament, so it is identified before the ligament is clamped - It arises high on the aorta because the ovary develops on the posterior abdominal wall and descends with its vessels; ovarian lymph therefore drains to para-aortic nodes ## Key facts **Origin** [Abdominal aorta](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/abdominal-aorta/) at about L2, just below the renal arteries **Branches** Ureteric branches; tubal branches; ovarian branches anastomosing with the uterine artery in the [broad ligament](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/broad-ligament-of-uterus/) **Supplies** Ovary and lateral [uterine tube](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/); runs on psoas, crosses the ureter and external iliac vessels, enters the suspensory ligament of the ovary ## Relations **Course** Retroperitoneal in the [abdomen](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/abdomen/) (the right artery passes in front of the [inferior vena cava](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/inferior-vena-cava/)); in the [pelvis](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/region/pelvis/) it runs in the [suspensory ligament of ovary](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/suspensory-ligament-of-ovary/), then through the [mesovarium](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mesovarium/) to the hilum of the [ovary](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovary/), sending tubal branches through the [mesosalpinx](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/mesosalpinx/) **Behind** [Psoas major](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/psoas-major/) and the [ureter](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ureter/), which it crosses obliquely in the abdomen **In front** Parietal [peritoneum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/peritoneum/); on the right the terminal [ileum](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ileum/), on the left the [sigmoid colon](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/sigmoid-colon/) and its mesentery **Medial** At the pelvic brim, the ureter descending into the pelvis ## How to find it It cannot be felt. At laparoscopy it lies in the infundibulopelvic ligament, the peritoneal fold from the pelvic brim to the upper pole of the ovary; Doppler ultrasound shows its branches at the ovarian hilum. ## On imaging In ovarian torsion, Doppler may still show flow because the ovary has a dual supply (ovarian and uterine arteries), so normal flow does not rule torsion out; a twisted pedicle can look like a whirlpool. ## Common problems - Twisting of the ovary (torsion) cuts off its flow. ## Treatment - Tied with the suspensory ligament when the ovary is removed. ## Clinical notes - Ureteric injury at the pelvic brim is a recognised complication of clamping the infundibulopelvic ligament - Ovarian cancer spreads along the lymphatics that follow this artery to the para-aortic nodes, which are sampled in surgical staging ## Anatomical variants - It occasionally arises from a renal or accessory [renal artery](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/renal-artery/), or higher on the aorta ## Related conditions - [Ovarian torsion](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-torsion/) - [Ovarian cyst](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-cyst/) - [Ovarian cancer](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/ovarian-cancer/) ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Where does the ovarian artery arise, and why? High on the aorta, just below the renal arteries, because the ovary develops on the posterior abdominal wall and descends with its vessels. ## In which ligament does the ovarian artery reach the ovary? The suspensory (infundibulopelvic) ligament of the ovary, clamped and divided in oophorectomy. ## Why does normal Doppler flow not rule out ovarian torsion? The ovary has a dual supply from the ovarian and uterine arteries. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/anatomy/ovarian-artery/) Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional. ## Its names **Official Latin (TA2)** arteria ovarica TA2 4285 **Official Spanish (DeCS)** Arteria ovárica **English (TA2)** Ovarian artery ## Related - [Ovaries](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovary/) - [Uterine tubes](https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/uterine-tube/) Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); [Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis, Ovary](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545187/). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovarian-artery/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/anatomy/ovarian-artery/