Internal Iliac Artery Scheme (Course, Branches, Mnemonic) | Anatomy

Summary

This video provides an in-depth explanation of the internal iliac artery and its branches, focusing on how to remember them easily. It covers the anatomy of the internal iliac artery, its variability, and its ten main branches. The video breaks down these branches into groups: two for the posterior body wall, four that exit the pelvis, and four that supply pelvic viscera. Key arteries such as the iliolumbar, obturator, superior and inferior gluteal, internal pudendal, and others are discussed with their respective functions and anatomical landmarks. The video emphasizes understanding the arterial targets to facilitate memorization.

Takeaways

• 😀 The abdominal aorta divides into the common iliac arteries, which then branch into the external and internal iliac arteries at the sacroiliac joint.
• 😀 The branching pattern of the internal iliac artery is highly variable between individuals and even between the right and left sides of the same person.
• 😀 A simple method to remember the branches of the internal iliac artery is using the scheme: 2 + 4 + 4, where '2' refers to arteries supplying the posterior body wall, '4' to arteries leaving the pelvis, and '4' to those supplying pelvic viscera.
• 😀 The iliolumbar artery, one of the posterior branches, supplies muscles of the posterior abdominal wall and the iliac crest.
• 😀 The lateral sacral artery descends along the anterior surface of the sacrum and supplies muscles of the pelvic girdle and perineum.
• 😀 The obturator artery supplies muscles of the medial thigh, including the pectineus, gracilis, and adductors, and has branches that anastomose to form the 'Corona Mortis,' which is crucial for surgeons to avoid during procedures.
• 😀 The superior gluteal artery supplies the gluteus minimus, gluteus medius, tensor fascia latae, and the hip joint.
• 😀 The inferior gluteal artery supplies the gluteus maximus, levator ani muscles, and other hip region muscles.
• 😀 The internal pudendal artery supplies the genital and perineal areas, including the deep and dorsal arteries of the penis (in males) or clitoris (in females), and has branches like the inferior rectal artery and perineal artery.
• 😀 The umbilical artery, present during fetal life, leaves a remnant that forms the medial umbilical ligament. Its branches supply the urinary bladder and ductus deferens in males, and the vaginal artery in females.
• 😀 The uterine artery supplies the uterus, with branches going to the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and sometimes the urethra and vagina. In males, the middle rectal artery supplies the rectum.

Q & A

What is the significance of the Internal Iliac artery in the body?

The Internal Iliac artery plays a crucial role in supplying blood to the pelvic region, including the muscles, reproductive organs, urinary bladder, and rectum. It has multiple branches that cater to various structures within the pelvis and lower body.

Why is the branching pattern of the Internal Iliac artery so variable?

The branching pattern of the Internal Iliac artery is highly variable due to individual anatomical differences. This variability is seen between different people and even between the right and left sides in a single person.

How can one effectively remember the branches of the Internal Iliac artery?

A simple method to remember the branches is by using the 2 + 4 + 4 scheme. This scheme divides the arteries into three groups: two branches to the posterior body wall, four branches that leave the pelvis completely, and four branches supplying pelvic viscera.

What is the function of the Iliolumbar artery?

The Iliolumbar artery supplies muscles of the posterior abdominal wall through its two branches: the lumbar branch and the iliac branch. The iliac branch also anastomoses with the deep iliac circumflex artery of the external iliac.

What is 'Corona Mortis' and why is it important?

Corona Mortis, or 'Crown of Death,' refers to the anastomosis between the pubic branch of the obturator artery and the pubic branch of the inferior epigastric artery. It is significant in orthopedic surgery because accidental damage to this structure can lead to severe bleeding, making hemostasis difficult.

What is the role of the Acetabular branch of the obturator artery?

The Acetabular branch of the obturator artery supplies the femoral head (caput femoris) by running inside the ligament of the femoral head to the acetabular fossa, where it plays a key role in maintaining the blood supply to the hip joint.

What muscles does the Superior Gluteal artery supply?

The Superior Gluteal artery supplies the gluteus minimus, gluteus medius, tensor fascia latae, and the hip joint (art. coxae), which are important for hip and thigh movement.

How does the Internal Pudendal artery contribute to genital blood supply?

The Internal Pudendal artery provides blood to the external genitalia. In males, it supplies the penis through the deep and dorsal arteries, while in females, it supplies the clitoris through the same arteries.

What is the difference between the Inferior Vesical artery in males and females?

In males, the Inferior Vesical artery supplies the urinary bladder, prostate, and seminal vesicle. In females, the equivalent artery is the Vaginal artery, which supplies the anterior wall of the vagina.

What arteries supply the rectum, and how are they connected?

The rectum is supplied by three main arteries: the Superior Rectal artery (from the inferior mesenteric artery), the Middle Rectal artery (from the internal iliac artery), and the Inferior Rectal artery (from the internal pudendal artery). These arteries provide comprehensive blood supply to different parts of the rectum.