Vessel
Internal iliac artery
Main artery of the pelvis
High-yield
Chief blood supply to the pelvic organs, perineum, and gluteal region; gives the superior and inferior gluteal and internal pudendal arteries.
Overview
The medial terminal branch of the common iliac artery, supplying the pelvic viscera, walls, perineum, and gluteal region through anterior and posterior divisions.
Reference facts
- Type
Muscular artery
- Origin
Common iliac artery
- Branches / tributaries
Superior and inferior gluteal; Internal pudendal; Obturator; Uterine/vaginal or inferior vesical; Middle rectal arteries
- Supplies
Pelvic viscera, pelvic walls, perineum, and gluteal region
- Course
Descends into the pelvis from the common iliac bifurcation and divides into anterior and posterior divisions