Which structure crosses the ureter in females?

The uterine artery and vein are the structures that cross the ureter in females. This anatomical relationship is crucial during surgical procedures or diagnostics involving the pelvis, as care must be taken to avoid injury to these blood vessels while accessing the ureter.

In females, the uterine artery branches off from the internal iliac artery and travels toward the uterus, passing anteriorly to the ureter. It is essential to understand this orientation because any disruption in this relationship could lead to significant complications, such as bleeding. The corresponding veins follow this pathway, draining blood from the uterus in a similar vicinity.

Other structures listed do not have the same anatomical relationship with the ureter. For example, the vas deferens is specific to males and does not cross the ureters in females. The fallopian tube is located more lateral to the ureter and does not intersect it. Additionally, the renal artery primarily supplies blood to the kidneys and does not have a crossing relationship with the ureter in the pelvis, as it is situated higher up in the abdomen. Therefore, the uterine artery and vein's crossing over the ureter reflects a critical aspect of female pelvic anatomy.