Anatomy essentials - Internal iliac artery branches, External iliac artery, May Thurner Syndrome
This anatomy masterclass continues our discussion on vascular anatomy and we discuss the external iliac artery, internal iliac artery, and May Thurner syndrome in this video. Parts of the aorta, celiac axis anatomy as well as superior mesenteric artery and inferior mesenteric artery have been already discussed previously.
The common iliac artery branches into two main arteries: the internal iliac artery and the external iliac artery.
The internal iliac artery, also known as the hypogastric artery, gives off several branches that supply blood to various structures in the pelvic region. These branches include:
Anterior division branches:
- Umbilical artery (superior vesical artery in adults): Supplies the urinary bladder (Superior vesical artery) and nearby structures.
- Obturator artery: Supplies the medial thigh muscles and structures.
- Inferior vesical artery (males) or vaginal artery (females): Supplies the urinary bladder, prostate (in males), and vagina (in females).
- Middle rectal artery: Supplies the rectum.
- Internal pudendal artery: Supplies the perineum and external genitalia.
- Inferior gluteal artery: Supplies the gluteal muscles.
Posterior division branches:
- Iliolumbar artery: Supplies the iliacus muscle, psoas major muscle, and part of the sacroiliac joint.
- Lateral sacral arteries: Supply the sacrum and adjacent structures.
- Superior gluteal artery: Supplies the gluteal muscles and other structures in the buttock region.
The branches of the internal pudendal artery include:
Inferior rectal artery:
Supplies the lower part of the rectum and anal canal.
Perineal artery:
Supplies the muscles and skin of the perineum.
Dorsal artery of the penis (in males) or dorsal artery of the clitoris (in females):
Supplies blood to the dorsal aspect of the penis or clitoris.
Deep artery of the penis (in males) or artery of the bulb (in females):
Supplies blood to the erectile tissue of the penis or clitoris.
Artery of the corpus cavernosum (in males) or artery of the vestibule (in females):
Supplies blood to the corpus cavernosum of the penis or the vestibular bulbs of the vagina.
These branches of the internal pudendal artery are crucial for the vascular supply of the perineum and external genitalia, supporting their normal function and sensation.