Iliac artery

(anatomy) Either of the two large arteries arising by bifurcation of the abdominal aorta and supplying blood to the lower trunk and legs (or hind limbs in quadrupeds). Also known as common iliac artery.

1. One of two terminal branches of the abdominal aorta, becoming the internal iliac artery and giving off the external iliac artery; common iliac artery.
2. An artery with its origin in the common iliac artery, with branches to the inferior epigastric and deep circumflex iliac arteries, becoming the femoral artery at the inguinal ligament; external iliac artery.
3. An artery with its origin in the common iliac artery, with branches to the iliolumbar, lateral sacral, obturator, superior gluteal, inferior gluteal, umbilical, superior vesical, inferior vesical, and middle rectal arteries, usually dividing into anterior and posterior arteries; hypogastric artery.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: one of the large arteries supplying blood to the pelvis and legs
  Synonym: arteria iliaca

Not to be confused with ileal arteries.

In human anatomy, iliac artery refers to several anatomical structures located in the pelvis:

• Common iliac artery - forms at terminus of the aorta.
• External iliac artery - forms when the common iliac artery bifurcates, continues as the femoral artery at the inguinal ligament.
• Internal iliac artery - forms when the common iliac artery bifurcates, supplies the perineum and sexual organs.

See also

• Iliac vein

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