Quick Facts
Origin: Posterior division of internal iliac artery.
Course: Crosses anterior to piriformis muscle and descend lateral to the sympathetic trunk.
Branches: Spinal branches.
Supplied Structures: Sacral vertebra, contents of the sacral canal, muscles and skin posterior to the sacrum.
Related parts of the anatomy
Origin
The lateral sacral arteries arise from the posterior division of the internal iliac artery, most commonly as two vessels (59%), a large superior and smaller inferior branch (Dubreuil-Chambardel, 1925). However, in the case of a single lateral sacral artery (26%), it quickly divides into its superior and inferior counterparts.
Course
The superior branch of the lateral sacral arteries passes through the first anterior sacral foramen and the corresponding posterior sacral foramen.
The inferior branch of the lateral sacral arteries travels obliquely across the anterior surface of piriformis muscle and anterior rami of sacral nerves, to descend lateral to the sacral part of the sympathetic trunk. It provides an anastomosis with the lateral sacral artery of the opposite side and the median sacral artery.
Branches
The spinal branches of the lateral sacral arteries enter the anterior sacral foramina and follow the same path as the superior branch of the lateral sacral arteries.
Supplied Structures
The lateral sacral arteries and its branches supply the sacral vertebra, contents of the sacral canal, including spinal cord and associated structures, muscles posterior to the sacrum, such as multifidus and erector spinae muscles, and skin posterior to the sacrum and coccyx.
References
Dubreuil-Chambardel, L. (1925) Variations des artères du pelvis et du membre inférieur. Traité des variations du système artériel: Masson et cie.
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Artery
Arteries are vessels transporting blood between heart, tissues, and other organs in order to supply them with nutrition and oxygen.
