Vasculature of the Pelvis

Overview

The pelvis has a complex vascular network that supplies reproductive, urinary and musculoskeletal structures. This section outlines the major arterial and venous pathways and their relationships to surrounding organs. These vessels support both systemic and reproductive functions.

Key Structures

Topics include arterial supply from the internal iliac system and its branches, and venous drainage through pelvic venous plexuses and tributaries.

Clinical Relevance and Learning Focus

Understanding pelvic vasculature is critical for managing haemorrhage, pelvic masses, varicosities and complications of pregnancy. This knowledge guides imaging interpretation and interventional or surgical procedures.

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Illustration of the major branches of the internal iliac artery in a male pelvis, with labeled vessels including the obturator, superior and inferior vesical, lateral sacral, superior and inferior gluteal, internal pudendal, and middle rectal arteries.

Arterial Supply

Diagram of the venous drainage of the pelvis, highlighting the internal iliac vein and its role in draining pelvic organs, along with the external iliac vein for lower limb venous return.

Venous Drainage

Popular

Illustration of the anterior thigh muscles, color-coded with a legend identifying psoas major, iliacus, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, sartorius, and pectineus.
Encyclopaedia

Vastus Lateralis

by Roxanne Salkeld

Diagram illustrating the cutaneous innervation of the gluteal region.
Nerves of the Lower Limb

The Cutaneous Innervation of the Lower Limb

by Max Bidewell

Palmar view of the labeled thenar muscles of the thumb, including the abductor pollicis brevis, opponens pollicis, and flexor pollicis brevis, along with the recurrent branch of the median nerve.
Encyclopaedia

Opponens Pollicis

by Dr Oliver Jones