title: [Arterial vasculature of ovaries in women of various ages in light of anatomic, radiologic and microangiographic examinations].
abstract: This study was done in 101 internal genital organs without any underlying pathology, collected en block from girls and women aged 3 to 85 years. Five groups were formed, depending on age, obstetric and gynecological history (Tab. 1). The origin from the abdominal aorta, bilateral symmetry and course of ovarian arteries were analysed. Special attention was paid to the crossing between the artery and the ureter. The uterus with adnexa, rectum and bladder were excised. Dissected ovarian and uterine arteries were injected with radiological contrast medium (mixture of Microtrast and iodine contrast Hexabrix 200). Summation angiograms were obtained using Multax 320 X-ray apparatus. Removal of the adnexa was followed by radiographic images in three planes with triple magnification. Next, the ovary was removed and cut into 2-3 mm thick slices (in the plane perpendicular to the long axis of the gland). Consecutive radiographs were taken using Unipan 401 apparatus and served to study the microangio-architecture of the ovarian cortex and medulla. The number, length and diameter of arteries in different parts of the gland were recorded. The ovarian artery was present bilaterally in all cases studied. On the majority, they originated symmetrically from the abdominal aorta as separate branches. In two cases the ovarian arteries branched off from a common trunk leaving the aorta and in two other cases they were branches of the iliac artery. The arteries crossed the ureter frontally. The ovarian artery was usually divided into two branches at the salpingian end of the ovary (Fig. 1). These vessels were anastomosed with homonymous branches of the uterine artery creating four types of connections. The middle salpingian artery was found in 37% of cases (Fig. 2). The arterial ovarian arch created by anastomoses between ovarian branches of the ovarian and uterine arteries was present in all cases. Analysis of branches of the arch revealed an age-related pattern of vascularisation. Vessels of the hilus showed several dichotomic divisions (Fig. 3). In the central part of the ovarian parenchyma the arterioles run rectilinearly from the hilus to the free margin, branching rarely (Fig. 4). In all age groups the number of vessels in the peripheral part of the ovary (especially at its poles) decreased and their course was not as regular as in the central part. The network of cortical vessels was relatively well developed in menstruating women. In contrast to this, a sparse cortical network was characteristic for non-menstruating girls and postmenopausal women. Worth noting is the asymmetric arrangement of both ovarian vasculatures.
authors.affiliation: Katedry i Zakładu Anatomii Prawidłowej Pomorskiej Akademii Medycznej w Szczecinie.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kozik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000792:Angiography; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000098:blood supply*; D012016:Reference Values