Download Arteries of the Pelvis and Lower Limbs

Arteries of the Pelvis and Lower Limbs
The right and left common iliac arteries are the terminal branches of the
abdominal aorta. Each of these arteries branches into internal and
external iliac arteries. The internal iliac arteries and their branches
supply the pelvis, while the external iliac arteries and their branches
perfuse the lower limbs.
Major Arteries of the Pelvis and Lower Limbs
Branch
Area Supplied
Description
Common
iliac
arteries
Pelvis, lower limbs,
external genitalia
Each common iliac artery gives rise
to two branches: the internal iliac
and external iliac arteries
Internal
iliac
arteries
Pelvic wall and
organs, including
the bladder and
rectum, uterus and
vagina in females,
and prostate gland
and ductus deferens
in males
Primary arteries supplying the
pelvis; Branches: superior and
inferiorgluteal arteries (supply
the gluteal muscles), obturator
artery(adductor muscles of inner
thigh), internal pudendal
artery(external genitalia and
perineum)
External
iliac
arteries
Lower limbs
The external iliac
arteries become the femoral
arteries; Branches supply the
anterior abdominal wall muscles,
round ligament of uterus in
females, and cremaster muscles in
males
Femoral
arteries
Lower abdominal
wall, thigh muscles,
groin, external
genitals
A branch of the femoral arteries,
the deep femoral artery (deep
artery of the thigh) supplies most
thigh muscles (including the
quadriceps, femoris, adductors, and
hamstrings); The pulse of the
femoral artery can be felt just below
the inguinal ligament; In a cardiac
catheterization procedure, a
Branch
Area Supplied
Description
catheter is inserted into the femoral
artery to reach the left side of the
heart
Popliteal
arteries
Adductor magnus
and hamstring
muscles, skin on the
back of the legs;
branches supply calf
muscles, knee joint,
femur, patella,
fibula
The popliteal arteries divide
into the anterior and posterior
tibial arteries; The pulse of the
popliteal arteries can be felt behind
the knee
Anterior
tibial
arteries
Knee joints, anterior
compartment of the
legs, skin on the
front of the legs,
ankle joints;
branches supply feet
and toes
At the ankle, the anterior tibial
arteries become the dorsalis
pedis arteries (dorsal arteries of
the foot) that supply the joints,
muscles, and skin on the dorsal part
of the foot; Each dorsal artery gives
rise to arcuate arteries, which
divide into the dorsal
metatarsal arteries that supply
the feet; Branches end by dividing
into dorsal digital arteries that
supply the toes; Pulse in the
dorsalis pedis artery is used to
assess the peripheral vascular
system
Posterior
tibial
arteries
Bones, joints,
muscles of the legs
and feet
The posterior tibial arteries are
a continuation of the popliteal
arteries; Divide into the medial and
lateral plantar arteries
Branch
Area Supplied
Description
Medial
plantar
arteries
Toes; abductor
hallucis and flexor
digitorum brevis
muscles
The medial plantar
arteries run along the medial side
of the foot
Plantar
metatarsal
arteries
Feet
The lateral plantar
arteries merge with a dorsal
artery branch to create the plantar
arch, which gives rise to
the plantar metatarsal
arteries; End by dividing into
the plantar digital arteries,
which perfuse the toes
Fibular
arteries
Fibularis, tibialis,
posterior, soleus,
and flexor hallucis
muscles; fibula,
tarsus, and lateral
part of heel
The fibular arteries (peroneal
arteries) are major branches of the
posterior tibial arteries