Diagnostic Ultrasound - Abdomen and Pelvis

Uterus
Anatomy: Pelvis
INTRAUTERINE ARTERIES
Internal iliac arteries
Cervix
Uterine arteries
Arcuate veins
Arcuate arteries
Descending trunk of uterine artery
Radial arteries
Basal layer of endometrium
Spiral arteries
Functional layer of endometrium
(stratum functionalis)
(Top) Transverse TA color Doppler ultrasound shows descending branches of both uterine arteries running medially at the level of the
cervix. Care must be taken not to confuse these with the iliac arteries, which lie more laterally. (Middle) Longitudinal TA color Doppler
ultrasound shows the arcuate arteries and veins located at the periphery of the uterus. The arcuate arteries commonly calcify with
advancing age. (Bottom) Longitudinal TV color Doppler ultrasound shows arcuate arteries branching into radial arteries, which run
vertically in the myometrium. These in turn give rise to the basal and spiral arteries, which supply the basal and functional layers of the
endometrium, respectively. The spiral arteries penetrate deep into the stratum functionalis of the endometrium, which sheds during
menstruation.
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