ORIGIN

The internal iliac artery originates from the common iliac artery opposite the lumbosacral joint.

COURSE

It starts at its origin and moves downward to the upper border of the greater sciatic foramen. From here it divides into two trunks, anterior and posterior, that continues downwards.

BRANCHES

There are many arterial branches of the internal iliac artery:

• Iliolumbar artery

• Lateral sacral artery

• Superior gluteal artery

• Inferior gluteal artery

• Umbilical artery

• Inferior vesical artery

• Middle rectal artery

• Internal pudendal artery

• Uterine artery (female)

• Vaginal artery (female)

STRUCTURES SUPPLIED

The internal iliac artery gives arterial supply to the medial side of the thigh, reproductive organs, buttock and viscera of the pelvis. A vesicular branch of this artery also supplies the bladder.