The Pelvic Blood Vessels, Nerves and Lymph Nodes

Abstract

The internal iliac artery is one of the two terminal branches of the common iliac artery and extends from the brim of the pelvis at the sacro-iliac joint downwards and backwards for about 3 cm. Although commonly described as dividing into ventral and dorsal divisions, it is probably true to say that the branches of the internal iliac artery show more variation in their origin from the parent trunk than those of any other artery. As it lies in front of the sacro-iliac joint on the wall of the pelvis, the artery is anterolateral to the internal iliac vein and lumbosacral trunk and medial to the external iliac vein, psoas muscle and obturator nerve. The ureter is anterior to the artery at its commencement.