External iliac artery

At a glance

English

External iliac artery

Latin (TA2)

Arteria iliaca externa

System

Artery

Region

Trunk

Side

Paired, left and right

About the external iliac artery

The external iliac artery is the main channel of blood to the lower limb. Each one begins at the division of the common iliac artery, at the pelvic brim in front of the sacroiliac joint, and ends behind the inguinal ligament, roughly midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic symphysis (the mid-inguinal point), where it changes name to become the femoral artery.

Its course runs downwards and forwards along the medial border of psoas major, following the brim of the pelvis. The external iliac vein lies close beside it, at first behind and then medial to the artery. The ureter crosses its start on the medial side, and the vessel is covered by parietal peritoneum and extraperitoneal fat, with the external iliac lymph nodes grouped around it.

Just above the inguinal ligament it gives its two named branches. The inferior epigastric artery climbs medially behind the anterior abdominal wall, enters the rectus sheath and joins the superior epigastric artery, forming a link with the internal thoracic system. The deep circumflex iliac artery runs laterally behind the inguinal ligament towards the anterior superior iliac spine and along the iliac crest, supplying the muscles of the lower abdominal wall and the iliac fossa. Small branches also go to psoas and the nearby lymph nodes.

In kidney transplantation the donor renal artery is usually joined to the external iliac artery, with the new kidney placed in the iliac fossa. The artery is a common route for catheters to the heart and aorta, and it can be narrowed by atherosclerosis, causing pain in the thigh and calf on walking. The inferior epigastric branch is an important landmark in hernia surgery.

Course and supply

Arises from

Begins where the common iliac artery divides at the pelvic brim, in front of the sacroiliac joint.

Ends in

Continues as the femoral artery as it passes behind the inguinal ligament at the mid-inguinal point.

Supplies

Is the chief arterial route to the lower limb; its inferior epigastric and deep circumflex iliac branches supply the muscles and skin of the lower anterior abdominal wall and the iliac fossa.