Anatomy
Summary
The abdominal aorta splits into the right and left common iliac arteries at the level of the L4 vertebrae. These arteries run down and laterally towards the pelvic brim, dividing again into the external and internal iliac arteries close to the sacroiliac joint. The external iliac artery has two branches: the inferior epigastric artery, which provides blood for the anterior abdominal wall structures, and the deep circumflex iliac artery, supplying the lower anterior abdominal wall and iliac crest. After the external iliac artery passes underneath the inguinal ligament, it becomes the femoral artery.
The internal iliac artery has a variable branching pattern. It has two divisions: posterior and anterior. The branches of the posterior division include theiliolumbar artery, the lateral sacral artery, which splits into the superior and inferior branches, and the superior gluteal artery.
The branches of the anterior division of the internal iliac artery include: the umbilical artery which typically gives off the superior vesical artery, the obturator artery, the uterine artery in females, the vaginal artery in females or inferior vesical artery in males, the middle rectal artery, the inferior gluteal artery, and the internal pudendal artery.
Lesson Outline
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FAQs
The internal iliac artery divides into an anterior division and posterior division. The branches of the posterior division include the iliolumbar artery which travels toward the iliac fossa to supply the ilium and iliacus. It also supplies the psoas major, the quadratus lumborum, and erector spinae muscles. The lateral sacral artery splits into the superior and inferior branches, supplying blood to the corresponding sacral foramina. Finally, the superior gluteal artery serves the gluteal muscles.
The external iliac artery is a branch of the common iliac artery. The main branches of the external iliac artery are the inferior epigastric artery, supplying anterior abdominal wall structures, and the deep circumflex iliac artery, supplying the lower anterior abdominal wall and iliac crest.
After the external iliac artery passes underneath the inguinal ligament, it becomes the femoral artery.
The obturator artery travels anteroinferiorly toward the obturator canal to supply the muscles of the pelvis and the adductors. It also supplies part of the femoral head.
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