View source for Internal pudendal artery

{{Infobox Artery |
  Name        = {{PAGENAME}} |
  Latin       = arteria pudenda interna |
  GraySubject = 155 |
  GrayPage    = 617 |
  Image       = Gray1244.png |
  Caption     = Left gluteal region, showing surface markings for arteries and sciatic nerve. |
  Image2      = Gray542.png |
  Caption2    = The superficial branches of the [[internal pudendal artery]]. |
  BranchFrom  = [[internal iliac artery]] |
  BranchTo    = |
  Vein        = [[Internal pudendal veins]] |
  Supplies    = [[external genitalia]], [[perineum]] |
  MeshName    = |
  MeshNumber  = |
  DorlandsPre = a_61 |
  DorlandsSuf = 12155618  |
}}
{{WikiDoc Cardiology Network Infobox}}
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{{CMG}}




The '''internal pudendal artery''' is an [[artery]] that branches off the [[internal iliac artery]], providing blood to the [[external genitalia]].  

The internal pudendal artery is the terminal branch of the anterior trunk of the [[internal iliac artery]].  It is smaller in the [[female]] than in the [[male]]. 

==Path==
It exits the [[pelvic cavity]] through the [[greater sciatic foramen]] to enter the [[gluteal region]].

It then curves around the [[sacrospinous ligament]] to enter the [[perineum]] through the [[lesser sciatic foramen]].  

It travels through the [[pudendal canal]] with the [[internal pudendal veins]] and the [[pudendal nerve]]. 

==Branches==
The internal pudendal artery gives off the following branches:
 
{| class="wikitable"
| '''In females''' || '''In males''' || '''Description''' 
 |- 
 | [[Inferior rectal artery]] || [[Inferior rectal artery]]  || to [[anal canal]]
 |- 
 | [[Perineal artery]]|| [[Perineal artery]] || supplies [[transversus perinei superficialis muscle]]
 |- 
 | [[Posterior labial branches]] || [[Posterior scrotal branches]] || -
 |- 
 | [[Artery of bulb of vestibule]]  || [[Artery of bulb of penis]] || supplies [[bulbourethral gland]]
 |- 
 | [[Dorsal artery of clitoris]]  || [[Dorsal artery of penis]] || -
 |- 
 | [[Deep artery of clitoris]]  || [[Deep artery of penis]] || to [[corpus cavernosum penis]]
|}

Some sources consider the [[urethral artery]] a direct branch of the internal pudendal artery<ref>{{Dorlands|a_61|12156483}}</ref>, while others consider it a branch of the [[perineal artery]].<ref>{{eMedicineDictionary|Urethral+artery}}</ref>

In males, the internal pudendal artery also gives rise to the perforating arteries of the penis.

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Gray236.png|Right hip bone. Internal surface.
 Image:Gray539.png|The arteries of the pelvis.
 Image:Gray829.png|Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses.
 Image:Gray543.png|The deeper branches of the internal pudendal artery.
 Image:Gray1158.png|Diagram of the arteries of the [[penis]].
 Image:Gray588.png|The penis in transverse section, showing the bloodvessels.
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Pudendal nerve]]
* [[Superficial external pudendal artery]]
* [[Deep external pudendal artery]]

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|41|04|06}} - "Inferior view of female perineum, branches of the internal pudendal artery."
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|42|03|01}} - "Branches of internal pudendal artery in the male perineum."
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|43|07|14}} - "Sagittal view of the internal iliac artery and its branches in the female pelvis. "
* {{SUNYAnatomyFigs|44|06|00}} - "Sagittal view of the internal iliac artery and its branches in the male pelvis. "
* {{SUNYAnatomyImage|9|0|86}}
* {{MedicalMnemonics|2503|||}}
* {{NormanAnatomy|pelvis}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|pelvicarteries}})
* {{DartmouthHumanAnatomy|figures/chapter_32/32-2.HTM}}
* {{DartmouthHumanAnatomy|figures/chapter_32/32-3.HTM}}
* [http://kobiljak.msu.edu/CAI/ANT551/Unit03/Topic11/U3_L11_O2.html Diagram at MSU]

{{Arteries of thorax and abdomen}}

[[Category:Arteries]]
[[Category:Anatomy]]
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