MAJOR PELVIC ARTERIES

VESSEL COURSE AND DISTRIBUTION

Middle sacral artery	Runs down middle of sacrum, supplies “middle sacral” structures (rectum, sacrum)
Common Iliac	Branches from aorta at L4
Internal iliac	The branch that is directed internally toward the depths of the true pelvis
Lateral sacral arteries	Pelvic sacral foramina to contents of vertebral canal
Obturator artery	Obturator foramen (canal) with obturator nerve - distribution to obturaor nerve-innervated structures (adductor muscles of thigh)
Superior gluteal artery	Greater sciatic foramen, superior to piriformis muscle - accompanies superior gluteal nerve, supplies gluteal muscles.
Inferior gluteal	Greater sciatic foramen, inferior to piriformis muscle
Umbilical	Has obliterated part (medial umbilical lig.) and patent part (superior vesicle artery)
Inferior vesicle artery	Bladder
Uterine artery	Uterus
Vaginal artery	Vagina
Internal pudendal	Greater and lesser sciatic foramina, pudendal canal, distributed with pudendal nerve.to pudendal region (rectum, anus, external genitalia)
External iliac artery Femoral Inferior epigastric artery	Lies in groove between iliacus and psoas muscles Vascular lacuna - the major artery of the lower limb Forms border of inguinal triangle; is a major vessel of anterior abdominal wall