Internal iliac arteries

From IKE

The main blood supply to the pelvis is from the two internal iliac arteries. These arteries branch from the common iliac artery at the pelvic brim, in the region of the sacro-iliac joint. Each artery enters the pelvic cavity, where it gives branches to the pelvic walls and lower limbs (parietal arteries) and to the organs of the pelvis (visceral arteries). There is considerable variation in the arrangement of the vessels, and anastomoses are common.

Branches of the internal iliac arteries:

1. Parietal branches
   • Ilio-lumbar artery
   • Lateral sacral artery
   • Superior and inferior gluteal arteries
   • Obturator artery
2. Visceral branches
   • Superior vesical artery
   • Inferior vesical artery
   • Middle rectal artery
   • Uterine artery
   • Internal pudendal artery