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The secret path of the internal iliac artery: why is it more important than the external iliac artery?
Medical research on arteries often focuses on the clearly visible external iliac artery, while the internal iliac artery is often overlooked. However, the internal iliac arteries play a vital role in the body's blood supply. This article will reveal the structure of this artery, its branches, and its importance in the human body, and explore why it may be more important than its external counterparts.
Structure of the internal iliac artery
The internal iliac artery, formerly known as the hypogastric artery, is the main artery of the Pelvis (pelvis). Its blood supply includes the walls and organs of the pelvis, as well as the buttocks, reproductive organs, and inner thigh area.
The internal iliac artery is a short, thick blood vessel, about 3 to 4 centimeters long, and is much smaller than the larger external iliac arteries.
After bifurcation from the common iliac artery, the internal iliac artery extends inferiorly and divides above the larger sciatic foramen into two main trunks: the anterior branch and the posterior branch. Its course is very delicate and lies between several anatomical structures, for example, it lies posterior to the ureter and anterior to the internal iliac vein.
Branches of the internal iliac artery
The branches of the internal iliac artery vary in shape and are usually divided into anterior and posterior branches. The posterior branch generally gives rise to branches including the superior gluteal artery, iliac lumbar artery, and lateral sacral artery, while the anterior branch innervates more organs.
In recent years, the development of new technologies, such as prostatic artery embolization, has significantly improved our understanding of the blood supply to the prostate.
Anatomic variations of the internal iliac artery
According to statistics, the length of the internal iliac artery varies greatly. In about two-thirds of cases, the length of the internal iliac artery is between 2.25 and 3.4 cm, while the remaining one-third is mostly longer. The maximum size can reach about 7 cm.
The branches and length of the internal iliac artery have obvious individual differences, and these variations are of great significance in anatomical research.
Relationship between the internal iliac artery and the reproductive system
Physiologically, the internal iliac artery is closely related to the female reproductive system. The connection between the ovarian and uterine arteries forms an important blood supply pathway that needs to be understood.
The importance of loop circulation
The internal iliac artery circulation is particularly important for many surgeries. After the internal iliac artery is ligated, other arteries are bypassed to maintain blood flow, such as the connection between the iliac and posterior lumbar arteries and the crossover of the lateral sacral arteries.
This anatomical flexibility not only supports blood supply to other organs, but also provides an effective solution in clinical operations.
Conclusion
The internal iliac artery plays an indispensable role in the human blood supply system. Its diverse anatomical characteristics and important physiological functions make its study very important. As our understanding of the internal iliac artery deepens, perhaps more medical treatments in the future will be able to rely on the flexibility and versatility of this artery. What other unknown medical secrets can the internal iliac artery reveal?
