114 ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



tion to the pelvic tissues and rectum, and freely anasto- 

 mose with arteries therein contained. 



The suprarenal arteries are two small branches that 

 are distributed to the suprarenal capsule of the kidney. 



The renal arteries are two large branches given off 

 ^from the. abdominal aorta, the right being longer and lower 

 than the left. Before entering the kidney. _they divide 

 into several branches which are distributed to the sub- 

 stance of the organ. Each vessel gives off small branches 

 one to the ureter and the other to the suprarenal cap- 

 sule. 



The spermatic arteries (ovarian in the female) 

 are given off in front of the abdominal aorta on each side, 

 below the renals, and pass behind the peritoneum. In 

 the male they pass out through the inguinal canal to the 

 testicles ; in the female they run between the layers of the 

 broad ligament to reach the ovary, Fallopian tubes, and 

 uterus. In their course they supply the several organs 

 mentioned. 



The lumbar arteries are usually five in number on 

 each side; they pass about the lumbar vertebrae, and 

 divide into two branches one dorsal and one abdominal 

 which are distributed to the muscles of the back, the 

 vertebrae, the spinal cord, and the abdominal muscles. 



The sacra media arises from the bifurcation of the 

 abdominal aorta, passes along the anterior part of the 

 sacrum to the coccyx, and supplies branches to the rectum 

 and anterior sacral nerves ; it anastomoses with the lateral 

 sacral arteries. 



The Common Iliac Arteries. As has been said, the 

 abdominal aorta divides into the common iliac arteries: 

 These extend from the bifurcation, which takes place usu- 

 ally at the fourth or the fifth lumbar vertebra. These 

 arteries are about 2 inches long, and pass outward and 



