Common iliac artery
Arteria iliaca communis
The common iliac arteries are the terminal branches of the abdominal aorta, formed where it divides at L4. Each runs about 4 cm downward and outward and divides in front of the sacroiliac joint (L5/S1) into the internal and external iliac arteries.
Overview
The common iliac arteries diverge from the aortic bifurcation, which lies roughly at the level of the umbilicus. They run along the medial border of psoas. Apart from small twigs to the peritoneum, psoas and ureter, they give off no branches.
The ureter crosses the pelvic brim in front of the common iliac bifurcation. This is a useful surgical and radiological landmark, and it is also one of the places where kidney stones tend to get stuck. The right common iliac artery crosses in front of the beginning of the IVC and the left common iliac vein. It can compress the left common iliac vein against the fifth lumbar vertebra (May–Thurner syndrome).
Anatomy
- Branches
The internal and external iliac arteries.
- Relations
In front: the peritoneum, the sigmoid mesocolon (on the left), the ureters at the bifurcation, and the hypogastric plexus. Behind: the L4–L5 vertebral bodies, the common iliac veins and the sympathetic trunk.
Function
- Carry the entire blood supply to the pelvis and lower limbs.
Clinical significance
Aortoiliac occlusive disease (Leriche syndrome)
Atherosclerotic occlusion of the aortic bifurcation and the common iliac arteries causes cramping pain in the buttocks and thighs on walking (claudication), weak or absent femoral pulses and erectile dysfunction.
Iliac aneurysm
Common iliac aneurysms often occur together with abdominal aortic aneurysm. They are repaired as part of open or endovascular aneurysm surgery.
Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Cardiovascular System sources. For education only; not medical advice.