The vaginal artery is a branch of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery (Read more!). This artery is only found in females and is often present as more than one branch.

After arising, the vaginal artery travels medially toward the lateral aspect of the vagina. As it approaches the vaginal wall, it gives off a series of smaller branches that penetrate the wall and supply the vaginal tissue. Along its course, it also gives rise to the inferior vesical arteries, which primarily supply the fundus of the urinary bladder.

The vaginal artery forms anastomoses with the vaginal branches of the uterine artery. These connections may contribute to the formation of the azygos artery of the vagina - a median longitudinal artery that descends along the anterior and posterior walls of the vagina. However, this artery is not always present.

Overall, the vaginal artery supplies the vagina and the urinary bladder. Additionally, this artery may also give off small branches to the vestibule of the vagina, the bulb of the vestibule, and sometimes the rectum.

The origin of the vaginal artery is highly variable. It may occasionally arise from the uterine artery or, less commonly, from the middle rectal artery, superior vesical artery, inferior gluteal artery, or obturator artery. In some cases, it may share a common trunk with the uterine artery or the middle rectal artery.

Note: While the vaginal artery is listed in Terminologia Anatomica as a branch of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery, there are variations in how it is described across anatomical literature. Some sources consider it to be the female homolog of the male inferior vesical artery, as females typically do not have a distinct inferior vesical artery. Importantly, the vaginal artery should not be confused with the vaginal branches of the uterine artery. Although both contribute to the vascularization of the vagina, they arise from different sources and follow distinct anatomical courses.

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Vaginal artery