Chap. X.] 



THE VASCULAR SYSTEM. 



123 



down than that of the left. Each is directed outwards, so as to 

 form nearly a right angle with the aorta. Before reaching the 

 kidney, each artery divides into four or five branches. 



The ovarian arteries, corresponding to the spermatic arteries in 

 the male, arise close together from the front of the aorta, a little 

 below the renal arteries. They supply the ovaries, and, joined 

 to the uterine artery, — a branch 

 of the internal iliac, — also assist 

 in supplying the uterus. During 

 pregnancy the ovarian arteries 

 become considerably enlarged. 



The common iliac arteries, com- 

 mencing at the bifurcation of the 

 aorta, pass downwards and out- 

 wards for about two inches, and 

 then each divides into the internal 

 and external iliac arteries. 



The internal iliac artery (whence 

 arises the hypogastric in the 

 foetus) supplies branches to the 

 walls and viscera of the pelvis. 



The external iliac artery forms 

 a large continuous trunk, which 

 extends downwards in the lower 

 limb to just below the knee : it 

 is named in successive parts of its 

 course external iliac, femoral, and 

 popliteal. The external iliac is 

 placed within the abdomen, and 

 extends from the bifurcation of 

 the common iliac to the lower 

 border of Poupart's ligament, 

 where it enters the thigh and is 

 named femoral. 



The femoral artery lies in the upper three-fourths of the 

 thigh, its limits being marked above by Poupart's ligament, 

 and below by the opening in the great adductor muscle, after 

 passing through which the artery receives the name of pop- 

 liteal. In the first part of its course the artery lies along the 

 middle of the depression on the inner aspect of the thigh, 



Fig. 93. — View of Popliteal 

 Artery. A, biceps muscle; D, D, 

 gastrocuemius ; /, popliteal artery. 



