Quick Facts
Origin: Abdominal aorta.
Course: Descends in a lateral direction.
Branches: Ureteric branch, internal iliac, and external iliac arteries.
Supplied Structures: Pelvic cavity, perineum, and lower limbs.
Origin
The common iliac arteries arise on the body of the fourth lumbar vertebra as the terminal branches of the abdominal aorta.
Course
The common iliac arteries extend in an inferolateral direction as far as the sacroiliac joint, where they bifurcate into internal and external iliac arteries.
Branches
A ureteric branch arises from the common iliac artery where the ureter crosses anterior to the artery near its terminal bifurcation.
The internal iliac artery crosses the pelvic brim and enters the pelvic cavity. The external iliac artery continues inferiorly along psoas major as it travels towards the lower limb.
Supplied Structures
The ureteric branch contributes to the supply of the ureter. The internal iliac artery supplies the pelvic cavity and gluteal region. The external iliac artery supplies the lower limb.
Learn more about this topic from other Elsevier products
Common Iliac Artery
The interiliac triangle contains the common iliac artery and vein, middle sacral artery, and vein branching from the posterior aspect of the abdominal aorta, just superior to aortic bifurcation and presacral nerve plexus.
