External iliac artery
Encyclopedia
The external iliac arteries are two major arteries which bifurcate off the common iliac arteries anterior to 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...

 of the pelvis. They proceed anterior and inferior along the medial border of the psoas major muscle
Psoas major muscle
-External links: - "Posterior Abdominal Wall: Muscles of the Posterior Abdominal Wall"* *...

s. They exit the pelvic girdle posterior and inferior to the inguinal ligament
Inguinal ligament
The inguinal ligament is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. Its anatomy is very important for operating on hernia patients.-Anatomy:...

 about 1/3rd laterally from the insertion point of the inguinal ligament on the pubic tubercle
Pubic tubercle
The pubic tubercle is a prominent forward-projecting tubercle on the upper border of the medial portion of the superior ramus of the pubis...

 at which point they are referred to as the femoral arteries.. The external iliac artery is usually the artery used to attach the renal artery to the recipient of a kidney transplant.

Source

The external iliac artery arises from the bifurcation of the common iliac artery
Common iliac artery
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 ....

. It travels inferiorly, anteriorly, and laterally, making its ways to the lower limb:

Branches

Branch Description
>-
| Inferior epigastric artery
Inferior epigastric artery
In human anatomy, inferior epigastric artery refers to the artery that arises from the external iliac artery and anastomoses with the superior epigastric artery...

 
superior epigastric artery
Superior epigastric artery
In human anatomy, superior epigastric artery refers to a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood and arises from the internal thoracic artery...

 (a branch of internal thoracic artery
Internal thoracic artery
In human anatomy, the internal thoracic artery , previously known as the internal mammary artery , is an artery that supplies the anterior chest wall and the breasts...

).
>-
| Deep circumflex iliac artery
Deep circumflex iliac artery
The deep circumflex iliac artery is an artery in the pelvis that travels along the iliac crest of the pelvic bone.-Course:...

>-
| 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....

 
Terminal branch. When the external iliac artery passes posterior to the inguinal ligament
Inguinal ligament
The inguinal ligament is a band running from the pubic tubercle to the anterior superior iliac spine. Its anatomy is very important for operating on hernia patients.-Anatomy:...

, its name changes to 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....

.


The abdominal aorta divides to form the "common iliac arteries" in the lower abdomen, and these vessels supply blood to the pelvic organs, gluteral region, and legs. Each common iliac artery descends a short distance and divides into an internal and an external branch. The external iliac artery provides the main blood supply to the legs. It passes down along the brim of the pelvis and divides into 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.

External links

- "The arteries of the lower extremity" - "The veins of the lower extremity, abdomen, and pelvis" - "The Female Pelvis: The External and Internal Iliac Vessels" - "Sagittal view of the internal iliac artery and its branches in the female pelvis. "
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK