Module 2 - Nerves, Vessels and Lymphatic Drainage: Page 5 of 7
The internal iliac artery divides into a posterior division and an anterior division, each giving rise to clinically significant branches that supply the pelvic walls, viscera, perineum, and gluteal region. View its branches:
The superior gluteal artery. Rotate to a posterior view to observe the artery exiting the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen superior to the piriformis muscle.
Posterior interal iliac Tap on image to enlarge
The iliolumbar artery. This artery ascends to supply the psoas major, iliacus, and lumbar vertebrae.
The lateral sacral arteries. These vessels course medially along the anterior sacral foramina, supplying the meninges, sacral spinal nerves, and adjacent muscles.
The following are branches of the anterior division of internal iliac artery:
You must rotate the pelvis to see the following arteries.
The obturator artery. It runs anteroinferiorly along the lateral pelvic wall and exits via the obturator canal with the obturator nerve.
Anterior interal iliac Tap on image to enlarge
The inferior gluteal artery. This artery exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen, inferior to the piriformis, to supply the gluteus maximus and posterior thigh.
The internal pudendal artery. Follow its path exiting through the greater sciatic foramen, looping around the ischial spine, and re-entering the perineum via the lesser sciatic foramen. It travels in the pudendal canal (Alcock’s canal) and supplies the external genitalia, perineal muscles, and anal canal.
Additional anterior division branches that are not visible in this 3D model:
