Common iliac artery

Common iliac artery is the terminal branches of the abdominal aorta.

Common iliac artery

Anatomy

The common iliac arteries are two large arteries that originate from the aortic bifurcation at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra.

Branches

They end in front of the sacroiliac joint, one on either side, and each bifurcates into the external and internal iliac arteries.

Distribution

The distribution of the common iliac artery is basically the pelvis and lower limb (as the femoral artery) on the corresponding side.

Relations

• 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.
• This is significant as the bifurcation of the common iliac artery is the second point of ureteric constriction.