674 



THE VASCULAR SYSTEMS 



The middle vesical (a. vesicalis medialis) (Fig. 473), usually a branch of the 

 superior, is distributed to the base of the bladder and under surface of the seminal 

 vesicles. 



The inferior vesical (a. vesicalis inferior) (Fig. 473) frequently arises in 

 common with the middle hemorrhoidal,and is distributed to the base of the bladder, 

 the prostate gland, and seminal vesicles. The branches distributed to the prostate 

 communicate with the corresponding vessel of the opposite side. 



The middle hemorrhoidal artery (a. haemorrhoidalis media) (Fig. 473) usually 

 arises together with the preceding vessel. It is distributed to the rectum, anasto- 

 mosing with the superior and inferior hemorrhoidal arteries. It gives Branches 

 to the seminal vesicle and prostate gland. 



Branches to tube. 



Branches tofnndus. 



Ovarian artery 

 Branch to round ligament. 



ROUND LIGAMENT. 



Uterine artery. 

 Arteries of cervix. 



Vaginal arteries. 

 FIG. 474. The arteries of the internal organs of generation of the female, seen from behind. (After Hyrtl.j 



The Uterine artery (a. uterina) (Fig. 474) arises from the anterior divisioi 

 of the internal iliac and runs inward on the Levator ani to the neck of the uterus 

 About three-quarters of an inch from the cervix it crosses the front of the ureter 

 to which it supplies a small branch. Ascending in a tortuous course on the sidt 

 of the uterus, between the layers of the broad ligament, it distributes branches 

 to its substance and to the round ligament and the Fallopian tube (ramus tubarius) 

 anastomosing near its termination with the ovarian artery. It gives a branch tc 

 the ovary (ramus ovarii), which anastomoses with a branch from the ovariar 

 branches to the cervix of the uterus, cervicouterine, and a branch which descends 

 on the vagina, the cervicovaginal, and, joining with branches from the vagina 

 arteries, form a median longitudinal vessel both in front and behind; these 

 descend on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the vagina, and are named 

 the azygos arteries of the vagina. 



The vaginal artery (a. vaginalis) usually corresponds to the inferior vesical 

 in the male: it descends upon the vagina, supplying its mucous membrane, and sends 

 branches to the bulb of the vestibule, the neck of the bladder, and the contiguous 



