Common iliac arteries

Common iliac artery
Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal.
Bifurcation of the aorta and the right common iliac artery - side view. Hypogastric artery is an old term for internal iliac artery. (Com. iliac. a. is visible at center bottom left.)
Details
Source	abdominal aorta
Branches	external iliac internal iliac
Vein	common iliac veins
Identifiers
Latin	arteria iliaca communis
Dorlands /Elsevier	a_61/12154545
TA	A12.2.14.001
FMA	14764
Anatomical terminology []

The common iliac arteries are two large arteries that originate from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. They end in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates into the external and internal iliac arteries.

They are about 4 cm long in adults and more than a centimeter in diameter. The arteries run inferolaterally, along the medial border of the psoas muscles to their bifurcation at the pelvic brim, in front of the sacroiliac joints.

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.

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.

Deep and superficial dissection of the lumbar plexus.

Posterior abdominal wall, after removal of the peritoneum, showing kidneys, suprarenal capsules, and great vessels.

Common iliac arteries