The inferior vesical artery (or inferior vesicle artery) is an artery of the

pelvis The pelvis (plural pelves or pelvises) is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the thighs (sometimes also called pelvic region), together with its embedded skeleton (sometimes also called bony pelvis, or pelvic skeleton). The ...

which arises from the

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 compa ...

and supplies parts of the

urinary bladder The urinary bladder, or simply bladder, is a hollow organ in humans and other vertebrates that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. In humans the bladder is a distensible organ that sits on the pelvic floor. Urine enters ...

as well as other structures of the

urinary system The urinary system, also known as the urinary tract or renal system, consists of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, bladder, and the urethra. The purpose of the urinary system is to eliminate waste from the body, regulate blood volume and bl ...

and structures of the

male reproductive system The male reproductive system consists of a number of sex organs that play a role in the process of human reproduction. These organs are located on the outside of the body and within the pelvis. The main male sex organs are the penis and the tes ...

. Some sources consider this vessel to be present only in males, and cite the

vaginal artery The vaginal artery is an artery in females that supplies blood to the vagina and the base of the bladder. Structure The vaginal artery is usually a branch of the internal iliac artery. Some sources say that the vaginal artery can arise from the ...

as the homologous structure in females; others consider it to be present in both

sexes Sex is the trait that determines whether a sexually reproducing animal or plant produces male or female gametes. Male plants and animals produce smaller mobile gametes (spermatozoa, sperm, pollen), while females produce larger ones ( ova, of ...

, with the vessel taking the form of a small branch of a vaginal artery in females.

Structure

Origin

The inferior vesical artery is a branch of the anterior division of the

. It frequently has a common origin with the

middle rectal artery The middle rectal artery is an artery in the pelvis that supplies blood to the rectum. Structure The middle rectal artery usually arises from the internal iliac artery. It is distributed to the rectum above the pectinate line. It anastomoses wit ...

Course

The inferior vesical artery passes medially across the pelvic floor.

Distribution

The inferior vesical artery is distributed to the

trigone Trigone may refer to: * Trigone of the lateral ventricle * Trigone of urinary bladder The trigone (a.k.a. vesical trigone) is a smooth triangular region of the internal urinary bladder formed by the two ureteric orifices and the internal ure ...

and inferior portion of the

, the

ureter The ureters are tubes made of smooth muscle that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In a human adult, the ureters are usually long and around in diameter. The ureter is lined by urothelial cells, a type of transitional epit ...

prostate The prostate is both an Male accessory gland, accessory gland of the male reproductive system and a muscle-driven mechanical switch between urination and ejaculation. It is found only in some mammals. It differs between species anatomically, ...

vas deferens The vas deferens or ductus deferens is part of the male reproductive system of many vertebrates. The ducts transport sperm from the epididymis to the ejaculatory ducts in anticipation of ejaculation. The vas deferens is a partially coiled tube ...

, and

seminal vesicle The seminal vesicles (also called vesicular glands, or seminal glands) are a pair of two convoluted tubular glands that lie behind the urinary bladder of some male mammals. They secrete fluid that partly composes the semen. The vesicles are 5� ...

The branches to the prostate communicate with the corresponding contralateral vessels.

Structure

Origin

Course

Distribution

Additional Images

See also

References

External links