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Vaginal Artery

arteria vaginalis

The vaginal artery arises from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery, often as a branch shared with the uterine artery or arising separately. It descends to supply the vaginal walls, the bladder base, and the urethra. Multiple vaginal arteries may be present. Superiorly the vaginal walls are supplied by the uterine artery; inferiorly by the internal pudendal artery; and the middle vagina primarily by the vaginal artery.

Region: Pelvis & Hip

Clinical Relevance

Clinical Notes

The vaginal artery is divided during radical hysterectomy with parametrial resection for cervical cancer, where all paravaginal blood supply must be secured. In anterior vaginal wall prolapse repair, the vaginal artery branches form the vascular plane that must be preserved beneath the vaginal epithelium to maintain flap viability. After anterior repair, compromised vaginal artery territory produces ischaemic vaginal epithelium and mesh exposure. The vaginal artery is also relevant in vaginal cuff dehiscence after hysterectomy.

Pathology

Common Injuries & Conditions

Vaginal Artery in Anterior Colporrhaphy

Anterior vaginal wall repair that over-aggressively thins the vaginal epithelial flap risks devascularising the vaginal artery territory, producing ischaemic epithelium that breaks down over mesh, causing mesh exposure and requiring mesh removal; adequate subepithelial thickness preservation maintains the arterial plexus.