Biology of Reproduction, Vol 11, 205-219, Copyright © 1974 by Society for the Study of Reproduction

Anatomy of Arteries and Veins of Uterus and Ovaries in Rhesus Monkeys

¹ Department of Veterinary Science, Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center and Endocrinology Reproductive Physiology Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706

The vasculature of uterus and ovaries was studied with the aid of a tissue-clearing technique in 13 rhesus monkeys. The uterine artery and vein formed two closely associated loops from origin to termination of each vessel. The vessels passed mediad toward the uterus, craniad along the lateral surface of the uterus, laterad toward the ovary, and terminated in a prominent anastomosis with the corresponding ovarian vessel ventral to the internal and external iliac vessels. The cranial arm of the uterine vein and the veins from the oviduct and ovary converged to form a prominent uteroovarian vein. The uteroovarian vein consisted of two channels which were interconnected by anastomoses. The initial one-fourth of the ovarian artery was relatively straight, but the remainder was very tortuous or tightly spiraled in both prepubertal and adult monkeys. The spiraled portion of the artery was located between the two channels of the uteroovarian vein. The terminal portion of the ovarian artery was very convoluted and was associated with venous branches from the ovary.