As the name indicates, the ovarian artery is the blood vessel that supplies oxygenated blood to the ovary. Its counterpart in the male is the testicular artery. Unlike the testicular artery, which leaves the abdomen to enter the inguinal canal, the ovarian artery does not leave the abdominal cavity and continues downward into the pelvis.
Origin and Course:
Ovarian artery arises from the abdominal part of aorta at the level of first lumbar vertebra. The artery is long and slender in form. It passes downward behind the peritoneum and crosses the internal iliac artery at the pelvic inlet. It then enters the suspensory ligament of the ovary, from where it continues into the broad ligament. Eventually it enters the ovary by way of the mesovarium.
In addition to the blood supply of ovaries, ovarian artery gives small branches to the uterus and uterine tube. One of its branches unites with the uterine artery to form an important anastomosis.