THE CIRCULATORY OR VASCULAR SYSTEM 115 



downward to the pelvis opposite to the sacro-iliac sym- 

 physis, where they divide into the internal and the external 

 iliac. The right artery is longer than the left. In the 

 female the bifurcation is more expanded than in the 

 male. 



The Internal Iliac Artery. This is a short branch from 

 the common iliac, extending to the sacrosciatic foramen, 

 where it divides into two branches the anterior and the 

 posterior which subdivide into the following: 



Anterior. Posterior. 



Superior vesical. Iliolumbar. 



Middle vesical. Lateral sacral. 



Inferior vesical. Gluteal. 



Middle hemorrhoidal. 



Uterine. 



Vaginal. 



Obturator. 



Sciatic. 



Internal pudic. 



The external iliac artery passes along the psoas muscle 

 to Poupart's ligament. A line drawn from the umbilicus 

 to the middle of Poupart's ligament indicates its course. 

 In addition to branches to the psoas muscle and to the 

 neighboring lymphatic glands, it gives off the deep epi- 

 gastric and the deep circumflex iliac. 



The Femoral Artery. When the external iliac passes 

 under Poupart's ligament it becomes the femoral. From 

 this point it passes down the thigh. A line drawn from 

 the mid-point between the anterior superior spine of the 

 ilium and the symphysis pubis to the inner side of the 

 internal condyle of the femur indicates its course. To- 

 gether with its vein it is enclosed in a strong sheath, but is 

 separated from the vein by a partition of fibrous septum. 



