Ovarian arteries

The ovarian arteries (Latin, sg.: arteria ovarica) are a pair of anterior branches arising from the abdominal aorta that supply the ovaries in females. These arteries are the female equivalent of the testicular arteries, but the ovarian arteries are shorter than the testicular arteries.

The ovarian arteries arise below the origin of the renal arteries and pass downward and laterally on the anterior surface of the psoas major muscle. Each artery travels down the suspensory ligament of the ovary, anterior to the ovarian vein, and the ureter. The ovarian artery enters the mesovarium and may anastomose with the uterine artery in the broad ligament. Finally, the ovarian artery reaches the ovary supplying it.