606 



THE BLOOD-VASCULAR SYSTEM 



inferior vesical, deferential, middle hsemorrhoidal, uterine (in the female), and 

 internal pudendal arteries. From the posterior division the ilio-lumbar, lateral 

 sacra], and superior gluteal arteries arise. These vessels are classified, for 

 description, as parietal and visceral. 



In the adult the hypogastric is smaller than the external iliac; in the foetus it is much larger 

 and through it the foetal blood is returned to the placenta. The adult hypogastric and common 

 iliac arteries of either side represent the proximal portion of each of the embryonic umbilical 

 arteries. The remainder of the umbilical artery within the body is represented by the umbilical 

 branch of the hypogastric which runs to the navel. At birth, when the circulation in the um- 

 bilical cord ceases, the lumen of the umbihcal branch of the hypogastric becomes obliterated 

 except a small channel which remains pervious as the superior vesical of the adult. 



Relations. — Behind, the hypogastric artery rests on the termination of the external ihac 

 vein, the hypogastric vein, the medial margin of the psoas muscle, the lumbo-sacral trunk, the 

 obturator nerve, and the sacrum. 



In front, it is covered by the peritoneum, and is crossed by the ureter. 



Fig. 489. — The Hypogastric Artery. (After Henle.) 



Externl iliac artery Hypogastric artery 



nio-psoas muscle \ ,,•,/ ,„..^ / 



Deep circumflex 

 iliac artery 



Transverse abdom- 

 inal muscle 



Inferior epigastric 

 artery 



Ascending branch. 



Ilio -lumbar artery 



Lateral sacral artery 



Coccygeus muscle 



/"^ ^"^ Tv /tit /I , \i\fk. , u \ VA 



Bladder 



Internal obturator muscle 



Prostate Vas deferens 

 Seminal vesicles 



The branches of the hypogastric artery may be divided into parietal and 

 visceral sets. Tlu; parietal branches are: — ^(1) The ilio-lumbar; (2) the lateral 

 sacral; (3) the obturator; and (4) the gluteal arteries. 



The visceral branches are: — (1) The umbilical; (2) the inferior vesical; (3) 

 the middle hsemorrhoidal; (4) the uterine; and (5) the internal pudendal. 



Parietal BRANCHEa of the Hypogastric Artery 

 1. THE ILIO-LUMBAR ARTERY 



The ilio-lumbar artery [a. iliolumbalis] — a short vessel coming off from the 

 posterior part of the hypogastric artery — runs upward and laterally beneath the 

 common iliac artery, first between the lumbo-sacral trunk and obturator nerve, 



