The external iliac arteries are two major
arteries which bifurcate off the
common iliac arteries anterior to the
sacroiliac joint
The sacroiliac joint or SI joint (SIJ) is the joint between the sacrum and the ilium bones of the pelvis, which are connected by strong ligaments. In humans, the sacrum supports the spine and is supported in turn by an ilium on each side. T ...
of the
pelvis.
Structure
The external iliac artery arises from the bifurcation of the
common iliac artery
The common iliac artery is a large artery of the abdomen paired on each side. It originates from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It ends in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates in ...
. They proceed anterior and inferior along the medial border of the
psoas major muscles. They exit the
pelvic girdle posterior and inferior to the
inguinal ligament.
This occurs about one third laterally from the insertion point of the inguinal ligament on the
pubic tubercle.
At this point they are referred to as the
femoral arteries.
Branches
Function
The external iliac artery provides the main blood supply to the legs. It passes down along the brim of the pelvis and gives off two large branches - the "inferior epigastric artery" and a "deep circumflex artery." These vessels supply blood to the muscles and skin in the lower abdominal wall. The external iliac artery passes beneath the inguinal ligament in the lower part of the abdomen and becomes the femoral artery.
Clinical significance
The external iliac artery is usually the artery used to attach the renal artery to the recipient of a kidney transplant.
Additional images
File:Gray539.png, Bifurcation of the aorta and the right common iliac artery
The common iliac artery is a large artery of the abdomen paired on each side. It originates from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It ends in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates in ...
- side view. (External iliac artery is artery at upper left, seen splitting from common iliac artery
The common iliac artery is a large artery of the abdomen paired on each side. It originates from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It ends in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates in ...
at top.)
File:Gray547.png, The relations of the femoral and abdominal inguinal rings, seen from within the abdomen. Right side. (External iliac artery is large artery at center, and inguinal ligament runs from upper right to lower left. When the artery crosses the ligament, it becomes the femoral artery.)
File:Gray522.png, The internal mammary artery and its branches.
File:Gray829.png, Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses.
File:Gray837.png, Sacral plexus of the right side.
File:Gray1036.png, Posterior view of the anterior abdominal wall in its lower half. The peritoneum is in place, and the various cords are shining through.
File:Gray1146.png, The spermatic cord in the inguinal canal.
File:Gray1227.png, Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal.
File:Right external artery.jpg, External iliac artery
File:Slide1ewew.JPG, Lumbar and sacral plexus. Deep dissection.Anterior view.
File:Slide2ewew.JPG, Lumbar and sacral plexus. Deep dissection.Anterior view.
See also
*
Internal iliac artery
The internal iliac artery (formerly known as the hypogastric artery) is the main artery of the pelvis.
Structure
The internal iliac artery supplies the walls and viscera of the pelvis, the buttock, the reproductive organs, and the medial comp ...
*
Common iliac artery
The common iliac artery is a large artery of the abdomen paired on each side. It originates from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It ends in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates in ...
References
External links
* - "The Female Pelvis: The External and Internal Iliac Vessels"
* - "Sagittal view of the internal iliac artery and its branches in the female pelvis. "
*
* ()
Hypogastric artery- thefreedictionary.com
{{Authority control
Arteries of the abdomen
Arteries of the lower limb