Common iliac artery
Encyclopedia
The common iliac arteries are two large arteries
that originate from the aortic bifurcation
at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. They bifurcate into the external iliac artery
and internal iliac artery
.
They are about 4cm long in adults and more than a centimeter in diameter. The arteries run inferolaterally, along the medial border of the psoas muscles to their bifurcation at the pelvic brim, in front of the sacroiliac joint
s.
The common iliac artery, and all of its branches, exist as paired structures (that is to say, there is one on the left side and one on the right).
The distribution of the common iliac artery is basically the pelvis
and lower limb
(as the femoral artery
) on the corresponding side.
s which lie posteriorly and to the right. Their terminal bifurcation is crossed anteriorly by the ureter
s.
Artery
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart. This blood is normally oxygenated, exceptions made for the pulmonary and umbilical arteries....
that originate from the aortic bifurcation
Aortic bifurcation
The aortic bifurcation is the point at which the abdominal aorta bifurcates into the left and right common iliac arteries. The aortic bifurcation occurs at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebrae....
at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. They bifurcate into the external iliac artery
External iliac artery
The external iliac arteries are two major arteries which bifurcate off the common iliac arteries anterior to the sacroiliac joint of the pelvis. They proceed anterior and inferior along the medial border of the psoas major muscles...
and internal iliac artery
Internal iliac artery
The internal iliac 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 compartment of the thigh...
.
They are about 4cm long in adults and more than a centimeter in diameter. The arteries run inferolaterally, along the medial border of the psoas muscles to their bifurcation at the pelvic brim, in front of the sacroiliac joint
Sacroiliac joint
The sacroiliac joint or SI joint is the joint in the bony pelvis between the sacrum and the ilium of the pelvis, which are joined together by strong ligaments. In humans, the sacrum supports the spine and is supported in turn by an ilium on each side...
s.
The common iliac artery, and all of its branches, exist as paired structures (that is to say, there is one on the left side and one on the right).
The distribution of the common iliac artery is basically the pelvis
Pelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
and lower limb
Lower limb
The lower limb is a limb of the body.According to Terminologia Anatomica, it includes the pelvic girdle, buttocks, hip, and thigh, as well as the components distal to the knee.-References:...
(as the femoral artery
Femoral artery
The femoral artery is a general term comprising a few large arteries in the thigh. They begin at the inguinal ligament and end just above the knee at adductor canal or Hunter's canal traversing the extent of the femur bone....
) on the corresponding side.
Relations
Both common iliac arteries are accompanied along their course by common iliac veinCommon iliac vein
In human anatomy, the common iliac veins are formed by the external iliac veins and internal iliac veins and together, in the abdomen at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebrae, form the inferior vena cava. They drain blood from the pelvis and lower limbs....
s which lie posteriorly and to the right. Their terminal bifurcation is crossed anteriorly by the ureter
Ureter
In human anatomy, the ureters are muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder. In the adult, the ureters are usually long and ~3-4 mm in diameter....
s.
External links
- "The arteries of the lower extremity" - "The veins of the lower extremity, abdomen, and pelvis"- Hypogastric artery - thefreedictionary.com - "The Abdominal Aorta" - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: The Abdominal Aorta and Paraaortic Nerve Plexus"