The ovarian vein, the female
gonadal vein
In medicine, gonadal vein refers to the blood vessel that carries blood away from the gonad (testis, ovary) toward the heart. These are different arteries in women (ovarian vein) and men ( testicular vein), but share the same embryological origin ...
, carries deoxygenated blood from its corresponding ovary to
inferior vena cava
The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the joining of the right and the left common iliac veins, usually at the level of th ...
or one of its tributaries. It is the female equivalent of the
testicular vein
The testicular vein (or spermatic vein), the male gonadal vein, carries deoxygenated blood from its corresponding testis to the inferior vena cava or one of its tributaries. It is the male equivalent of the ovarian vein, and is the venous counterp ...
, and is the venous counterpart of the
ovarian artery
The ovarian artery is an artery that supplies oxygenated blood to the ovary in females. It arises from the abdominal aorta below the renal artery. It can be found within the suspensory ligament of the ovary, anterior to the ovarian vein and uret ...
. It can be found in the
suspensory ligament of the ovary.
Structure
It is a paired vein, each one supplying an ovary.
* The right ovarian vein travels through the suspensatory ligament of the ovary and generally joins the
inferior vena cava
The inferior vena cava is a large vein that carries the deoxygenated blood from the lower and middle body into the right atrium of the heart. It is formed by the joining of the right and the left common iliac veins, usually at the level of th ...
.
* The left ovarian vein, unlike the right, often joins the
left renal vein instead of the inferior vena cava.
[Lampmann LE, Smeets AJ, Lohle PN. Uterine fibroids: targeted embolization, an update on technique. Abdom Imaging. 2003 Oct 31; .]
Pathology
Thrombosis
Thrombosis (from Ancient Greek "clotting") is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system. When a blood vessel (a vein or an artery) is injured, the body uses platelets (t ...
of ovarian vein is associated with postpartum
endometritis
Endometritis is inflammation of the inner lining of the uterus ( endometrium). Symptoms may include fever, lower abdominal pain, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge. It is the most common cause of infection after childbirth. It is also p ...
,
pelvic inflammatory disease,
diverticulitis,
appendicitis
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. Symptoms commonly include right lower abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. However, approximately 40% of people do not have these typical symptoms. Severe complications of a ru ...
, and gynecologic surgery.
Additional images
File:Gray1161.png, Uterus and right broad ligament, seen from behind.
See also
*
Ovarian vein syndrome
References
External links
* - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Tributaries to the Inferior Vena Cava"
Veins of the torso
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