internal iliac arteries

Examples of internal iliac arteries in the following topics:

• Arteries of the Pelvis and Lower Limbs

  • The pelvic cavity is largely supplied by the paired internal iliac arteries, formed when the common iliac artery divides the internal iliac artery at the vertebral level L5 descends inferiorly into the lesser pelvis.
  • The external iliac artery passes into the thigh, becoming the femoral artery.
  • At the most superior border of the greater sciatic foramen, the large opening to the rear of the pelvis, the internal iliac artery divides into anterior and posterior trunks.
  • Key branches include the obturator artery, the inferior vesical artery in men and the equivalent vaginal artery in females, and the rectal and gluteal arteries.
  • The division of the internal iliac artery into its posterior and anterior trunks.

• Veins of the Abdomen and Pelvis

  • The external iliac vein, the upward continuation of the femoral vein, passes upward along the pelvis and ends to form the common iliac vein.The tributaries of the external iliac vein are the inferior epigastric, deep iliac circumflex, and pubic veins.
  • The internal iliac vein begins near the upper part of the greater sciatic foramen, the large opening at the rear of the pelvis, passes upward behind and slightly medial to the internal iliac artery and, at the brim of the pelvis, joins with the external iliac vein to form the common iliac vein.
  • The superior epigastric vein refers to a blood vessel that carries deoxygenated blood and drains into the internal thoracic vein.
  • The deep circumflex iliac vein is formed by the union of the venae comitantes of the deep iliac circumflex artery, and joins the external iliac vein about 2 cm above the inguinal ligament.
  • The veins of the abdomen and lower limb include the inferior vena cava, the common iliac veins, the external iliac veins, and their tributaries.

• Fetal Circulation

  • The uterine arteries carry oxygenated blood to the placenta, which then permeates the sponge-like placenta.
  • Some of the blood moves from the aorta through the internal iliac arteries to the umbilical arteries, and re-enters the placenta, where carbon dioxide and other waste products from the fetus are taken up and enter the maternal circulation.
  • Some of the blood entering the right atrium does not pass directly to the left atrium through the foramen ovale, but enters the right ventricle and is pumped into the pulmonary artery.
  • In the fetus, there is a special connection between the pulmonary artery and the aorta, called the ductus arteriosus, which directs most of this blood away from the lungs (which aren't being used for respiration at this point as the fetus is suspended in amniotic fluid).

• Development of the Heart

  • The human arterial and venous systems develop from different embryonic areas.
  • Approximately 30 posterolateral branches arise off the aorta and will form the intercostal arteries, upper and lower extremity arteries, lumbar arteries, and the lateral sacral arteries.
  • Finally, the ventral branches of the aorta consist of the vitelline arteries and umbilical arteries.
  • The vitelline arteries form the celiac, superior and inferior mesenteric arteries of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • After birth, the umbilical arteries will form the internal iliac arteries.

• Ovaries

  • The ovaries are the ovum-producing organs of the internal female reproductive system.
  • The fossa usually lies beneath the external iliac artery and in front of the ureter and internal iliac artery.

• Male and Female Gonads

  • The fossa usually lies beneath the external iliac artery and in front of the ureter and the internal iliac artery.
  • The left ovary is visible above the label ovarian arteries.

• Development of the Cardiovascular System

  • On the obliteration of the stapedial artery, this anastomosis enlarges and forms the internal maxillary artery; the branches of the stapedial artery are now branches of this vessel.
  • The third aortic arch constitutes the commencement of the internal carotid artery, and is named the carotid arch.
  • The fourth right arch forms the right subclavian artery as far as the origin of its internal mammary branch.
  • Approximately 30 posterolateral branches arise off the aorta and will form the intercostal arteries, upper and lower extremity arteries, lumbar arteries, and the lateral sacral arteries.
  • After birth, the umbilical arteries will form the internal iliac arteries.

• Anastomoses

  • Circulatory anastomoses are named based on the vessels they join: two arteries (arterio-arterial anastomosis), two veins (veno-venous anastomosis), or between an artery and a vein (arterio-venous anastomosis).
  • Examples include the knee and geniculate arteries, shoulder and circumflex humeral, and hip and circumflex iliac.
  • Coronary artery anastomoses.
  • If one coronary artery is obstructed by an atheroma, a degradation of the arterial walls, the second artery is still able to supply oxygenated blood to the myocardium.
  • Blood flows up to the brain through the vertebral arteries and through the internal carotid arteries.

• Abdominal Aorta

  • The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity and supplies blood to most of the abdominal organs.
  • The abdominal aorta is the largest artery in the abdominal cavity.
  • Terminally it branches into the paired common iliac arteries, which supply the pelvis and lower limbs.
  • The aorta, highlighted in red, includes the abdominal aorta which begins at the diaphragm and ends as it branches into the common iliac arteries.

• The Aorta and Its Branches

  • The aorta is the largest artery in the systemic circulatory system.
  • The aorta is an elastic artery, meaning it is able to distend.
  • The arch of the aorta has three branches: the brachiocephalic artery, which itself divides into right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery, the left common carotid artery, and the left subclavian artery.
  • These arteries provide blood to both arms and the head.
  • Within the abdomen, the descending aorta branches into the two common iliac arteries that provide blood to the pelvis and, eventually, the legs.