274 THE VASCULAR SYSTEMS 



The Iliac Arteries 



The common iliac arteries run downward and outward from 

 the division of the aorta to the lumbosacral joint, and divide 

 into the external and internal iliacs. 



Relations. Each has in front the peritoneum, small intestine, 

 ureter, and sympathetic nerve ; the left is crossed by the superior 

 hemorrhoidal artery; behind and to the inner side of each is its 

 vein, the right having both its own and the left vein between it 

 and the last lumbar vertebra, and external to each is the psoas 

 magnus. The right at its upper part has also the beginning 

 of the inferior vena cava posteriorly. 



Branches. Small twigs to the psoas, ureters, and lymphatic 

 glands. 



The internal iliac artery descends to the upper part of the 

 great sacrosciatic foramen, and divides into an anterior and a 

 posterior trunk. 



Relations. hi front, the ureter and peritoneum; behind, the 

 sacrum, lumbosacral cord, companion vein, and the external iliac 

 vein at its upper part; internally, the vein; externally, the psoas 

 muscle. The posterior trunk gives off the following branches: 

 (a) the iliolumbar; (b) the lateral sacral; (c) the gluteal, passes 

 through the great sciatic foramen, and divides into a superficial 

 and a deep branch. 



The anterior trunk of the internal iliac gives off the following 

 branches: 



(a) The superior vesical represents the pervious part of the 

 fetal hypogastric artery. It runs to the apex and body of 

 the bladder and to the ureter, joins its fellow, and gives off the 

 artery of the vas defer ens, which accompanies that structure to 

 the testis. It also generally gives off the (b) middle vesical to 

 the base of the bladder. 



(c) The inferior vesical vaginal in the female joins its fellow. 

 It supplies the bladder, prostate gland, and seminal vesicles; 

 in the female, vagina and rectum. 



(d) The middle hemorrhoidal arises with the preceding, ;md 

 runs to the rectum to join other hemorrhoidal arteries. 



(e) The uterine in the female ascends in the broad ligament 

 from the cervix along the side of the uterus and gives off a branch 

 to the ovary, which anastomoses with the ovarian artery; 



