Pelvic Vasculature

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Pelvic Vasculature - Pelvic Powerhouse

  • Internal Iliac Artery (IIA): Primary arterial supply to pelvis; bifurcates into anterior & posterior divisions.
  • Posterior Division: Supplies pelvic wall & gluteal region.
    • Key: Superior gluteal a. (largest branch).
  • Anterior Division: Supplies pelvic viscera, perineum, medial thigh, gluteal region.
    • Key: Internal pudendal a. (perineum), Uterine a. (uterus), Obturator a. (adductors).

⭐ Uterine artery crosses superior to the ureter ("water under the bridge") approx. 2 cm lateral to the cervix. Critical landmark in hysterectomy. Pelvic Vasculature: Internal Iliac Artery

  • Ovarian Artery: Arises from abdominal aorta, supplies ovaries.
  • Median Sacral Artery: Arises from posterior aorta, supplies sacrum/coccyx.

Pelvic Vasculature - Life Givers

  • Internal Iliac Artery (IIA): Chief pelvic artery.
    • Posterior Division (Parietal):
      • Iliolumbar A.
      • Lateral Sacral A.
      • Superior Gluteal A. (Largest IIA branch)
      • 📌 Mnemonic: PILS (Posterior: Iliolumbar, Lateral sacral, Superior gluteal)
    • Anterior Division (Visceral & Parietal):
      • Visceral Branches:
        • Umbilical A. → Superior Vesical A. (→ A. to Ductus Deferens)
        • Inferior Vesical A. (♂) / Vaginal A. (♀)
        • Middle Rectal A.
        • Uterine A. (♀) - crosses superior to ureter ("water under the bridge")
        • Internal Pudendal A. (main perineal artery)
      • Parietal Branches:
        • Obturator A.
        • Inferior Gluteal A.

Pelvic Vasculature in Women

⭐ The Uterine Artery, from anterior division of IIA, passes superior to the ureter ("water under the bridge") - a key surgical landmark.

Pelvic Vasculature - Back & Beyond

  • Internal Iliac Artery (IIA) - Posterior Division (Parietal Branches):
    • Iliolumbar a.: Supplies iliacus, psoas major, quadratus lumborum.
    • Lateral Sacral aa. (Superior & Inferior): Supply sacral canal structures, piriformis.
    • Superior Gluteal a.: Largest IIA branch; exits greater sciatic foramen (GSF) above piriformis. Supplies gluteal muscles.
  • IIA - Anterior Division (Selected Parietal Branches):
    • Obturator a.: Exits via obturator canal. Supplies adductor muscles.
    • Inferior Gluteal a.: Exits GSF below piriformis. Supplies gluteal muscles, hamstrings.
  • Other Key Arteries:
    • Median Sacral a.: Unpaired; from abdominal aorta bifurcation. Supplies sacrum, coccyx.
    • Gonadal aa. (Ovarian/Testicular): From abdominal aorta; supply gonads. Pelvic Vasculature in Women

⭐ An aberrant obturator artery (variant origin, often from inferior epigastric a.) is found in approximately 20-30% of individuals. Its course over the superior pubic ramus creates the "corona mortis" (crown of death), a crucial surgical landmark due to high bleeding risk if injured, especially during hernia repair or pelvic fracture fixation.

Pelvic Vasculature - Drain & Defend

  • Venous Drainage:

    • Internal Iliac Vein (IIV): Drains pelvic viscera, walls, perineum, gluteal. Mirrors IIA branches.
    • Gonadal Veins: Right → IVC; Left → Left Renal Vein.
    • Median Sacral Vein: Drains to Left Common Iliac Vein or IVC.
    • 📌 Batson's Plexus: Valveless vertebral veins. Metastasis route (e.g., prostate Ca to spine).
  • Lymphatic Drainage: Generally follows arterial supply.

    • Key Nodal Groups:
      • Internal Iliac Nodes: Most pelvic viscera, deep perineum.
      • External Iliac Nodes: Upper bladder/cervix/vagina, lower limb.
      • Common Iliac Nodes: From internal/external iliac.
      • Para-aortic Nodes: Gonads, uterus, tubes; from common iliac.
      • Superficial Inguinal Nodes: Perineum, lower vagina, anal canal (distal to pectinate).

⭐ Cloquet's node (Rosenmüller's node) is the highest deep inguinal node, sentinel for penile/clitoral Ca.

Lymphatic system overview

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Internal iliac artery (IIA): main pelvic artery, with anterior & posterior divisions.
  • IIA Posterior division: Iliolumbar, Lateral sacral, Superior gluteal (parietal).
  • IIA Anterior division: supplies viscera (e.g., Uterine, Vesical) & perineum (Internal pudendal).
  • Uterine artery crosses ureter superiorly ("water under the bridge") - critical surgical landmark.
  • Internal pudendal artery: main perineal supply, via greater & lesser sciatic foramina.
  • Ovarian (aortic branch) & Median sacral arteries contribute; pelvic veins drain to internal iliac vein.

Practice Questions: Pelvic Vasculature

Test your understanding with these related questions

Which structure lies midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and pubic symphysis?

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Flashcards: Pelvic Vasculature

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Tributaries of internal iliac vein: (think of all the pelvic structures) _____ :ButtInternal pudendal vein :Dick and vagObturator vein ?Lateral sacral veins (usually) SacralMiddle rectal vein :AssholeVesical veins :BladderUterine and vaginal veins :Gynec

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Tributaries of internal iliac vein: (think of all the pelvic structures) _____ :ButtInternal pudendal vein :Dick and vagObturator vein ?Lateral sacral veins (usually) SacralMiddle rectal vein :AssholeVesical veins :BladderUterine and vaginal veins :Gynec

Superior and inferior gluteal veins

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