Common iliac artery

Common iliac artery
Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal.
Volume rendered CT scan of abdominal and pelvic blood vessels.
Details
Sourceabdominal aorta
Branchesexternal iliac
internal iliac
Veincommon iliac veins
Identifiers
Latinarteria iliaca communis
TA98A12.2.14.001
TA24301
FMA14764
Anatomical terminology

The common iliac artery is a large artery of the abdomen paired on each side. It originates from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. It ends in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates into the external and internal iliac arteries.

Structure

The common iliac artery are about 4 cm long in adults and more than a centimeter in diameter. It begins as a branch of the aorta.[1] This is at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra.[1] It runs inferolaterally, along the medial border of the psoas muscles. It bifurcates into the external iliac artery and the internal iliac artery at the pelvic brim, in front of the sacroiliac joints.[1]

The common iliac artery, and all of its branches, exist as paired structures (that is to say, there is one on the left side and one on the right).

The distribution of the common iliac artery is basically the pelvis and lower limb (as the femoral artery) on the corresponding side.

Relations

Both common iliac arteries are accompanied along their course by the two common iliac veins, which lie posteriorly and to the right. Their terminal bifurcation is crossed anteriorly by the ureters.[1] This is significant, as the bifurcation of the common iliac artery is the second point of ureteric constriction.[1]

Function

The common iliac artery supplies the leg and the pelvic region.

Clinical significance

Constriction

The common iliac artery may become narrowed.[2] This is most common at the aortic bifurcation.[2]

Dilatation

Dilatation of the common iliac artery can be graded into the following categories:[3]

NormalDiameter ≤ 12 mm
EctasiaDiameter 12 to 18 mm
AneurysmDiameter ≥ 18 mm

Additional images

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Jacob, S. (2008). "4 - Abdomen". Human Anatomy. Churchill Livingstone. pp. 71–123. doi:10.1016/B978-0-443-10373-5.50007-5. ISBN 978-0-443-10373-5.
  2. 1 2 Buckley, Brendan; Holden, Andrew; Merrilees, Stephen; Fernando, Rukshan (2020). "13 - Revascularization: Aortoiliac". Image-Guided Interventions - Expert Radiology (3rd ed.). Saunders. pp. 99–110. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-61204-3.00013-0. ISBN 978-0-323-61204-3. S2CID 241869039.
  3. ↑ Melissa L Kirkwood. "Iliac artery aneurysm". Retrieved February 23, 2018. Last updated: Mar 27, 2017.
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