View source for Internal iliac artery

{{Infobox Artery |
  Name            = Internal iliac |
  Latin           = arteria iliaca interna |
  GraySubject     = 155 |
  GrayPage        = 614 |
  Image           = Gray1227.png |
  Caption         = Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal. The internal iliac artery, here labeled "Hypogastric", is visible in lower right. |
  Image2          = Internaliliac.png |
  Caption2        = |
  BranchFrom      = [[Common iliac artery]] |
  BranchTo        = [[iliolumbar artery]], [[lateral sacral artery]], [[superior gluteal artery]], [[inferior gluteal artery]], [[middle rectal artery]], [[uterine artery]], [[obturator artery]], [[inferior vesical artery]], [[superior vesical artery]], [[obliterated umbilical artery]],  [[internal pudendal artery]]  | 
  Vein            = [[Internal iliac vein]] |
  Supplies        =  |
  MeshName        = Iliac+Artery |
  MeshNumber      = A07.231.114.444 |
  DorlandsPre     = a_61 |
  DorlandsSuf     = 12154560  |
}}

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==Overview==

The '''internal iliac artery''' (formerly known as the '''hypogastric artery''') is the main [[artery]] of the [[pelvis]].

==Structure==
The internal iliac artery supplies the walls and [[viscera]] of the [[pelvis]], the [[buttock]], the [[reproductive organs]], and the medial compartment of the [[thigh]]. 

It is a short, thick vessel, smaller than the [[external iliac artery]], and about 4 cm in length. 

===Course===
It arises at the bifurcation of the [[common iliac artery]], opposite the lumbosacral articulation (L5/S1 intervertebral disc), and, passing downward to the upper margin of the [[greater sciatic foramen]], divides into two large trunks, an anterior and a posterior.

The following are relations of the artery at various points: it is posterior to the [[ureter]], anterior to the [[internal iliac vein]], the [[lumbosacral trunk]], and the [[piriformis muscle]]; near its origin, it is medial to the [[external iliac vein]], which lies between it and the [[psoas major muscle]]; it is above the [[obturator nerve]].

===Branches===
The exact arrangement of branches of the internal iliac artery is variable.  Generally, the artery divides into an anterior division and a posterior division, with the posterior division giving rise to the superior gluteal, iliolumbar, and lateral sacral arteries.  The rest usually arise from the anterior division.

The following are the branches of internal iliac artery.  Because it is variable, a listed artery may not be a direct branch, but instead might arise off a direct branch.  

{| class="wikitable"
| '''Division''' || '''Branch''' || '''Sub-branches''' || '''To/through''' 
 |- 
 | Posterior || [[Iliolumbar artery]] || lumbar and iliac branches || [[psoas major muscle]], [[quadratus lumborum muscle]], [[iliacus muscle]]
 |- 
 | Posterior || [[Lateral sacral arteries]] || superior and inferior branches || [[anterior sacral foramina]]
 |- 
 | Posterior  || [[Superior gluteal artery]] || - || [[greater sciatic foramen]] 
 |- 
 | Anterior || [[Obturator artery]] (occasionally from [[inferior epigastric artery]]) || - || [[obturator canal]] 
 |- 
 | Anterior || [[Inferior gluteal artery]] || - || [[greater sciatic foramen]] 
 |- 
 | Anterior || [[Umbilical artery]] || [[superior vesical artery]] (usually, but sometimes it branches directly from anterior trunk)  || [[medial umbilical ligament]]
 |- 
 | Anterior || [[Uterine artery]] (females) or [[deferential artery]] (males) || superior and vaginal branches || [[uterus]], [[vas deferens]]
 |- 
 | Anterior || [[Vaginal artery]] (females, can also arise from [[uterine artery]]) or [[inferior vesical artery]] (males) || - || [[vagina]], [[urinary bladder]]
 |- 
 | Anterior || [[Middle rectal artery]] || - || [[rectum]]
 |- 
 | Anterior || [[Internal pudendal artery]]|| many branches - see article for details || [[greater sciatic foramen]] 
|}

===Structure in fetus===
In the [[fetus]], the internal iliac artery is twice as large as the [[external iliac]], and is the direct continuation of the [[common iliac]]. 

It ascends along the side of the [[urinary bladder|bladder]], and runs upward on the back of the anterior wall of the abdomen to the [[umbilicus]], converging toward its fellow of the opposite side. 

Having passed through the umbilical opening, the two arteries, now termed umbilical, enter the [[umbilical cord]], where they are coiled around the umbilical vein, and ultimately ramify in the [[placenta]].

At birth, when the placental circulation ceases, the pelvic portion only of the umbilical artery remains patent gives rise to the superior vesical artery (or arteries) of the adult; the remainder of the vessel is converted into a solid fibrous cord, the [[medial umbilical ligament]] (otherwise known as the obliterated hypogastric artery) which extends from the pelvis to the umbilicus.

===Variation===
In two-thirds of a large number of cases, the length of the internal iliac varied between 2.25 and 3.4 cm.; in the remaining third it was more frequently longer than shorter, the maximum length being about 7 cm. the minimum about 1 cm.

The lengths of the common iliac and internal iliac arteries bear an inverse proportion to each other, the internal iliac artery being long when the common iliac is short, and vice versa.

The place of division of the internal iliac artery varies between the upper margin of the [[sacrum]] and the upper border of the [[greater sciatic foramen]].

The right and left hypogastric arteries in a series of cases often differed in length, but neither seemed constantly to exceed the other.
 
==Collateral Circulation==
The circulation after ligature of the internal iliac artery is carried on by the [[anastomoses]] of:
* the [[uterine artery]] and the [[ovarian artery]] (females) 
* the vesical arteries ([[superior vesical artery]] and [[inferior vesical artery]]) of the two sides
* the [[middle rectal artery]] and the [[superior rectal artery]] 
* the [[obturator artery]] (by means of its pubic branch) with the vessel of the opposite side, and with the [[inferior epigastric artery]] and [[medial circumflex femoral artery]] 
* the circumflex and perforating branches of the [[profunda femoris]] with the [[inferior gluteal artery]] 
* the [[superior gluteal artery]] with the posterior branches of the [[lateral sacral arteries]]
* the [[iliolumbar artery]] with the last [[lumbar artery]]
* the [[lateral sacral arteries]] with the [[median sacral artery]] 
* the [[superficial iliac circumflex artery]] with the [[iliolumbar artery]] and [[superior gluteal artery]].

==Additional images==
<gallery>
 Image:Gray539.png|Bifurcation of the aorta and the right iliac arteries - side view.
 Image:Gray829.png|Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses.
 Image:Gray837.png|Sacral plexus of the right side.
 Image:Gray1036.png|Posterior view of the anterior abdominal wall in its lower half. The peritoneum is in place, and the various cords are shining through.
 Image:Gray1121.png|Posterior abdominal wall, after removal of the peritoneum, showing kidneys, suprarenal capsules, and great vessels.
 Image:Gray1170.png|The arteries of the internal organs of generation of the female, seen from behind. 
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[External iliac artery]]
* [[Internal iliac vein]]

==External links==
* {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|44|10|01|00}}
* {{SUNYRadiology|Pelvis|15PelArt}}
* {{ViennaCrossSection|pelvis/pelvis-e12-2}}
* [http://www.mrcog-wiseowl.com/assets/images/internal_iliac_artery_web.jpg Illustration at wiseowl.com]
* {{MUNAnatomy|first/aart8}}
* [http://www.anatomyatlases.org/AnatomicVariants/Cardiovascular/Images0001/0068.shtml "Variation in Origin of the Parietal Branches of internal iliac artery based on a study of 169 Specimens (108 males and 61 females)." at anatomyatlases.org]
* {{MedicalMnemonics|1169|801|3160|}}
* {{NormanAnatomy|pelvis}} ({{NormanAnatomyFig|pelvicarteries}})

{{Gray's}}
{{Arteries of thorax and abdomen}}

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

[[tr:iliyak arter]]

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