Inferior gluteal artery
The inferior gluteal artery (sciatic artery) is the smaller of the two terminal branches of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery. It exits the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen. It is distributed chiefly to the buttock and the back of the thigh.
Inferior gluteal artery | |
---|---|
![]() Left gluteal region, showing surface markings for arteries and sciatic nerve | |
![]() Internal iliac artery and branches, including inferior gluteal artery | |
Details | |
Source | Internal iliac artery |
Branches | Accompanying artery of ischiadic nerve |
Vein | Inferior gluteal veins |
Supplies | Gluteus maximus, piriformis and quadratus femoris muscles |
Identifiers | |
Latin | Arteria glutaea inferior |
TA98 | A12.2.15.018 |
TA2 | 4355 |
FMA | 18871 |
Anatomical terminology |
Anatomy
Course
It passes down on the sacral plexus of nerves and the piriformis muscle, behind the internal pudendal artery. It passes through the lower part of the greater sciatic foramen.[1] It exits the pelvis between piriformis muscle and coccygeus muscle.
It then descends in the interval between the greater trochanter of the femur and tuberosity of the ischium. It is accompanied by the sciatic nerve and the posterior femoral cutaneous nerves, and covered by the gluteus maximus.[1] It continues down the back of the thigh, supplying the skin, and anastomosing with branches of the perforating arteries.
Additional images
- The arteries of the gluteal and posterior femoral regions.
- Dissection of side wall of pelvis showing sacral and pudendal plexuses.
Dissection images |
---|
|
See also
References
This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 620 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)
- Hamdi, Moustapha; Gagnon, Alain R. (2009). "CHAPTER 28 - Gluteus flap". Flaps and Reconstructive Surgery. Vol. 2. Saunders (imprint). pp. 377–395. doi:10.1016/B978-0-7216-0519-7.00028-9. ISBN 978-0-7216-0519-7.
External links
- Inferior gluteal artery at the Duke University Health System's Orthopedics program
- Anatomy figure: 43:07-12 at Human Anatomy Online, SUNY Downstate Medical Center - "Sagittal view of the internal iliac artery and its branches in the female pelvis. "
- pelvis at The Anatomy Lesson by Wesley Norman (Georgetown University) (pelvicarteries)