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Pelvic Vasculature
The major arterial supply to the pelvic and perineal structures comes from the
internal iliac arteries. These arteries supply all the viscera, musculature and
erectile tissue as well as provide branches that extend into the gluteal region.
Other vessels that contribute to the blood supply of the pelvis, that originate in the
abdomen, include the ovarian arteries and the median sacral arteries.
Internal Iliac Artery
Originates from the common iliac artery that bifurcates at the level of L5 - S1
It lies anteromedial to the sacroiliac joint.
These vessel courses inferior over the pelvic inlet and then divides into anterior
and posterior trunks at the level of the superior border of the greater sciatic
foramen.
Branches from the posterior trunk contribute to the supply of the lower posterior
abdominal wall, the posterior pelvic wall and the gluteal region.
Branches from the anterior trunk supply the pelvic viscera, perineum, gluteal
region, the adductor compartment of the thigh, and in the foetus the placenta.
Posterior Trunk
Iliolumbar artery - Ascends back out of the pelvic inlet from its point of origin and
divides into a lumbar and iliac branch, that supply the following structures:
Lumbar branch
Posterior abdominal wall - psoas major and quadratus lumborum
Cauda equina (via a small spinal branch that passes through the
intervertebral foramen between L5 and S1)
Iliac Branch
Supplies the muscle and bone in the iliac fossa
Pelvic Vasculature 1
Pelvic Vasculature
The major arterial supply to the pelvic and perineal structures comes from the
internal iliac arteries. These arteries supply all the viscera, musculature and
erectile tissue as well as provide branches that extend into the gluteal region.
Other vessels that contribute to the blood supply of the pelvis, that originate in the
abdomen, include the ovarian arteries and the median sacral arteries.
Internal Iliac Artery
Originates from the common iliac artery that bifurcates at the level of L5 - S1
It lies anteromedial to the sacroiliac joint.
These vessel courses inferior over the pelvic inlet and then divides into anterior
and posterior trunks at the level of the superior border of the greater sciatic
foramen.
Branches from the posterior trunk contribute to the supply of the lower posterior
abdominal wall, the posterior pelvic wall and the gluteal region.
Branches from the anterior trunk supply the pelvic viscera, perineum, gluteal
region, the adductor compartment of the thigh, and in the foetus the placenta.
Posterior Trunk
Iliolumbar artery - Ascends back out of the pelvic inlet from its point of origin and
divides into a lumbar and iliac branch, that supply the following structures:
Lumbar branch
Posterior abdominal wall - psoas major and quadratus lumborum
Cauda equina (via a small spinal branch that passes through the
intervertebral foramen between L5 and S1)
Iliac Branch
Supplies the muscle and bone in the iliac fossa
Pelvic Vasculature 1
