Internal iliac artery

The internal iliac artery (Latin: arteria iliaca interna) is the main artery of the pelvis. It arises from the bifurcation of the common iliac artery. In general, the internal iliac artery supplies blood to the viscera of the pelvis, pelvic walls, external genitalia, perineum, as well as the gluteal region and medial compartment of the thigh.

The artery runs downward along the lateral wall of the pelvis, crosses the linea terminalis and descends to the lesser pelvis through the upper part of the greater sciatic foramen, dividing into an anterior and a posterior trunk. The posterior trunk gives rise to the following branches:

• Iliolumbar artery
• Lateral sacral arteries
• Superior gluteal artery

And the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery gives rise to the following arteries:

• Umbilical artery (in fetus)
• Obturator artery
• Vaginal artery
• Inferior vesical artery
• Uterine artery
• Middle rectal artery
• Internal pudendal artery
• Inferior gluteal artery